Le subjonctif - Learn how to conjugate in French subjunctive

Key takeaways

• The subjunctive (le subjonctif) is a mood, not a tense.
• It expresses uncertainty, doubt, obligation, emotions, wishes, and subjectivity.
• Formed from the third-person plural stem of the present tense + subjunctive endings.
• Common triggers include il faut que, bien que, avant que, pour que, je veux que.
• Essential for intermediate and advanced learners in both written and spoken French.

What Is the French Subjunctive?

The subjunctive mood (le subjonctif) is one of the most distinctive features of French grammar. Unlike the indicative, which states facts, the subjunctive conveys possibility, subjectivity, or necessity.

Examples:

• Il faut que tu viennes. → It’s necessary that you come.
• Je veux qu’il réussisse. → I want him to succeed.
• Bien que nous soyons fatigués, nous continuons. → Although we are tired, we continue.

The subjunctive can feel intimidating at first, but it follows clear patterns.

How to Form the Subjunctive

Most verbs in the subjunctive are formed from the third-person plural (ils/elles) of the present tense.

1. Take the present ils/elles form.
2. Remove the -ent.
3. Add the subjunctive endings: -e, -es, -e, -ions, -iez, -ent.

Subjunctive Endings

Notice how close these endings are to the indicative, which is why learners often confuse them.

Irregular Verbs in the Subjunctive

Several high-frequency verbs are irregular and must be memorized.

• Être → que je sois, que tu sois, qu’il soit, que nous soyons, que vous soyez, qu’ils soient
• Avoir → que j’aie, que tu aies, qu’il ait, que nous ayons, que vous ayez, qu’ils aient
• Aller → que j’aille, que tu ailles, qu’il aille, que nous allions, que vous alliez, qu’ils aillent
• Faire → que je fasse, que tu fasses, qu’il fasse, que nous fassions, que vous fassiez, qu’ils fassent
• Savoir → que je sache, que tu saches, que nous sachions, que vous sachiez, qu’ils sachent

Tip: Create a “subjunctive essentials” list with these verbs — you’ll use them constantly.

When to Use the Subjunctive

The subjunctive is required in specific contexts.

1. After necessity, obligation, desire

• Il faut que tu viennes. → It’s necessary that you come.
• Je veux qu’il réussisse. → I want him to succeed.

2. After doubt or denial

• Je doute qu’il réussisse. → I doubt he will succeed.
• Je ne pense pas qu’il soit prêt. → I don’t think he is ready.

3. To express emotions

• Je suis content que tu sois ici. → I’m happy that you are here.
• Elle est triste qu’il parte. → She is sad that he is leaving.

4. After common conjunctions

Certain conjunctions always trigger the subjunctive: bien que, avant que, pour que, à condition que.

• Bien qu’il pleuve, nous sortons. → Although it’s raining, we go out.
• Je travaille pour que tu sois fier. → I work so that you are proud.

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The Kwiziq lesson on pour que + subjunctive is especially useful for practicing these connectors.

Subjunctive vs. Indicative

• Indicative = reality, certainty. 
  
  • Je sais qu’il est là. → I know he is here.
• Subjunctive = doubt, uncertainty, subjectivity. 
  
  • Je doute qu’il soit là. → I doubt he is here.

Think of the subjunctive as reflecting the speaker’s point of view, not the objective fact.

Common Mistakes

1. Forgetting to use subjunctive after triggers 
   
   • ❌ Il faut que tu viens.
   • ✅ Il faut que tu viennes.
2. Using subjunctive instead of indicative with verbs of thinking 
   
   • Je pense que… → indicative (Je pense qu’il est prêt).
   • Je ne pense pas que… → subjunctive (Je ne pense pas qu’il soit prêt).
3. Incorrect irregular forms 
   
   • ❌ Il faut que tu es prêt.
   • ✅ Il faut que tu sois prêt.

Exercises: Subjunctive Practice

1. Fill in the blanks

• Il faut que tu ________ (venir).
• Je doute qu’elle ________ (savoir).
• Bien que nous ________ (être) fatigués, nous travaillons.

2. Translate

• I want you to do it.
• Although it rains, we will go out.
• It is necessary that he study.

3. Correct the mistakes

• Je veux qu’il vient. → ________
• Il faut que tu es prêt. → ________

Answers

1. viennes, sache, soyons
2. Je veux que tu le fasses | Bien qu’il pleuve, nous sortirons | Il faut qu’il étudie
3. Je veux qu’il vienne | Il faut que tu sois prêt

Tips for Mastering the Subjunctive

• Memorize frequent triggers: il faut que, bien que, avant que, pour que.
• Focus on irregular verbs early: être, avoir, aller, faire, savoir.
• Practice with short sentences like: Je veux que tu viennes or Il faut que je parte.
• Note that in casual speech, French people sometimes avoid the subjunctive, but in writing and formal contexts, it is expected.

To see how the subjunctive fits into the broader verb system, explore our French verb tenses guide. For strategies to integrate it into your routine, check learning French effectively, and if you’re planning long-term, see how long it might take to learn French fluently.

Summary

The subjunctive mood (le subjonctif) is essential for expressing subjectivity, doubt, obligation, and emotion. It follows predictable endings but includes irregular verbs that must be learned by heart. While tricky at first, with practice you’ll start to recognize triggers and choose the correct form naturally.

Try building daily sentences using triggers like il faut que or bien que while you learn French with Promova. Over time, you’ll feel confident distinguishing between il est là (indicative) and il faut qu’il soit là (subjunctive).