French Subjunctive Mood: When and Why to Use It

What is the Subjunctive Mood?

The subjunctive is a special verb form used to express wishes, emotions, doubts, and necessities - essentially, anything that isn't a concrete reality.

Main Trigger Expressions

These phrases signal that you need the subjunctive:

1. "Il faut que..." (It is necessary that...) "Il faut que tu viennes" (It's necessary that you come)

• Uses subjunctive because it expresses necessity

2. "Je veux que..." (I want that...) "Je veux que tu sois là" (I want you to be there)

• Subjunctive appears because it expresses desire

3. "Je souhaite que..." (I wish that...) "Je souhaite qu'il pleuve" (I wish it would rain)

• Uses subjunctive to express a wish

Common Subjunctive Forms

Être (to be)

que je sois - that I am que tu sois - that you are qu'il/elle soit - that he/she is que nous soyons - that we are que vous soyez - that you are qu'ils/elles soient - that they are

Avoir (to have)

que j'aie - that I have que tu aies - that you have qu'il/elle ait - that he/she has que nous ayons - that we have que vous ayez - that you have qu'ils/elles aient - that they have

Real-Life Examples

1. Expressions of Emotion: "Je suis content que tu sois là" (I'm happy that you're here)

• Uses "sois" because it follows an emotional expression

2. Necessity: "Il est important qu'elle aille au médecin" (It's important that she goes to the doctor)

• Uses subjunctive "aille" after expressing importance

3. Doubt: "Je ne pense pas qu'il vienne" (I don't think he will come)

• Uses subjunctive "vienne" because of doubt

When Not to Use Subjunctive

1. After "Je pense que" (I think that) "Je pense qu'il est malade" (I think he is sick)

• Uses regular indicative because it states a belief

2. After "Je sais que" (I know that) "Je sais qu'il va venir" (I know he will come)

• Uses indicative because it expresses certainty

Practice Examples

1. "Il faut que nous partions tôt" (We need to leave early)

• "Partions" is subjunctive after "il faut que"

2. "Je doute qu'il comprenne" (I doubt he understands)

• "Comprenne" is subjunctive after expressing doubt

Key Tips

• Look for trigger expressions
• Remember it expresses uncertainty or subjectivity
• Used mainly in formal French
• Always follows "que" in these constructions

The subjunctive appears when dealing with emotions, wishes, doubts, and necessities - anything that isn't a stated fact.