Le subjonctif présent – Learn how to conjugate the French present subjunctive

Key takeaways

• The present subjunctive (le subjonctif présent) is a mood, not a tense.
• It expresses uncertainty, necessity, doubt, emotions, and wishes.
• Formed from the third-person plural stem of the present tense + subjunctive endings.
• Common triggers: il faut que, bien que, avant que, pour que, je veux que.
• Essential for intermediate learners to sound natural in French.

What Is the Present Subjunctive in French?

The subjonctif présent (present subjunctive) is one of the most common forms of the subjunctive mood. Unlike the indicative, which states facts, the subjunctive expresses things that are uncertain, desired, feared, or felt emotionally.

Examples:

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

Think of the subjunctive as the mood of subjectivity. When you don’t describe reality but express an attitude toward it, chances are you’ll need it.

For a full overview, the Lingvist guide to the present subjunctive explains its structure, while the Mango Languages breakdown of the subjunctive shows how it appears in natural contexts.

How to Form the Subjonctif Présent

Most verbs follow a regular pattern. To form the subjunctive:

1. Take the third-person plural (ils/elles) form of the verb in the present tense.
2. Remove the ending -ent.
3. Add the subjunctive endings: -e, -es, -e, -ions, -iez, -ent.

Subjunctive Endings

Notice that the endings are very similar to those of the present indicative. The main difference lies in the triggers that require the subjunctive.

Irregular Verbs in the Subjunctive

Some verbs don’t follow the regular pattern. These must be memorized because they appear very frequently:

• 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

A simple way to remember them is to create flashcards. Write the trigger phrase (il faut que, je veux que) on one side and the correct irregular form on the other.

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When to Use the Subjonctif Présent

The subjunctive is triggered by specific expressions, verbs, and conjunctions.

1. After necessity, obligation, or desire

• Il faut que tu viennes. → It’s necessary that you come.
• Je veux que tu réussisses. → I want you 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

Conjunctions that express condition, time, or purpose often trigger the subjunctive:

• Bien que (although)
• Avant que (before)
• Pour que (so that)
• À condition que (provided that)

Examples:

• 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.

Subjonctif Présent vs. Indicatif Présent

The indicative presents facts, while the subjunctive conveys subjectivity.

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

Understanding this contrast is crucial — it’s not about the time of the action, but about the speaker’s attitude.

Common Mistakes

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

Exercises: Practice the Present Subjunctive

1. Fill in the blanks

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

2. Translate into French

• 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 Subjonctif Présent

• Memorize the most frequent triggers (il faut que, bien que, avant que, pour que).
• Learn irregular verbs like être, avoir, aller, faire early — they appear constantly.
• Use short sentences daily to reinforce memory: Je veux que tu viennes, Il faut que je parte.
• Pay attention to real-life usage: in spoken French, people sometimes simplify, but in writing the subjunctive is expected.

To see how this mood fits into the larger grammar system, read our French verb tenses guide. For efficient strategies, explore learning French effectively. And if you’re setting long-term goals, check how long it may take to learn French fluently.

Summary

The subjonctif présent is used to express uncertainty, emotions, necessity, and subjectivity. It is formed from the third-person plural stem of the present tense, plus subjunctive endings, with irregular verbs like être and avoir requiring memorization.

While it can feel challenging, practice makes perfect. Start with short expressions and triggers, then expand to longer sentences. Use it in writing and role-play dialogues while you learn French with Promova. Over time, you’ll instinctively know when to say il faut que tu sois instead of tu es.