When to Use French Subjunctive
The French subjunctive has a fearsome reputation among learners, but here is the truth: you only need to know about a dozen trigger phrases and a handful of irregular forms to use it correctly in 90% of situations. The subjunctive is not a tense — it is a mood that expresses necessity, desire, doubt, and emotion. Once you learn the triggers, it becomes almost automatic.
Learn from Your Home Screen
Lingo puts new words on your Home Screen with pronunciation and translations — so you learn 30 languages without even opening the app.
What Triggers the Subjunctive?
The subjunctive almost always appears in a subordinate clause introduced by que. The main clause contains a trigger — a verb or expression that demands the subjunctive.
Necessity
- Il faut que tu parles français. — You must speak French.
- Il est nécessaire que nous partions. — It is necessary that we leave.
- Il est important que vous compreniez. — It is important that you understand.
Desire and Will
- Je veux que tu viennes. — I want you to come.
- Elle souhaite que nous réussissions. — She wishes us to succeed.
- Je préfère que tu restes. — I prefer that you stay.
Emotion
- Je suis content que tu sois là. — I am happy that you are here.
- Il est triste que elle parte. — It is sad that she is leaving.
- J'ai peur que tu ne comprennes pas. — I am afraid you do not understand.
Conjunctions
- Bien que ce soit difficile, j'essaie. — Although it is difficult, I try.
- Pour que tu comprennes. — So that you understand.
- Avant que tu partes. — Before you leave.
- Jusqu'à ce que tu reviennes. — Until you come back.
The number one trigger to memorize is "il faut que." You will hear and use it dozens of times every day in French. "Il faut que je parte" (I have to leave), "Il faut que tu saches" (You need to know). Master this phrase first.
How to Form the Subjunctive
For most verbs, the formation is surprisingly straightforward:
- Take the ils/elles form of the present tense.
- Drop the -ent ending to get the stem.
- Add the subjunctive endings: -e, -es, -e, -ions, -iez, -ent.
Practice These Words in Lingo Widget
Home screen widgets, daily vocabulary, and 30 languages to explore.
The Key Irregular Verbs
Seven verbs have irregular subjunctive forms that must be memorized. These are among the most common verbs in French, so you will encounter them constantly.
Être (to be)
que je sois, que tu sois, qu'il soit, que nous soyons, que vous soyez, qu'ils soient
Avoir (to have)
que j'aie, que tu aies, qu'il ait, que nous ayons, que vous ayez, qu'ils aient
Aller (to go)
que j'aille, que tu ailles, qu'il aille, que nous allions, que vous alliez, qu'ils aillent
Faire (to do/make)
que je fasse, que tu fasses, qu'il fasse, que nous fassions, que vous fassiez, qu'ils fassent
Notice that être and avoir are completely irregular, while aller and faire use unusual stems but regular subjunctive endings. Also note that nous and vous forms of aller (allions, alliez) look like the imperfect — this is a common pattern.
When NOT to Use the Subjunctive
Knowing when to avoid the subjunctive is just as important:
- Same subject in both clauses? Use infinitive: Je veux partir. (NOT "Je veux que je parte.")
- After penser/croire in affirmative? Use indicative: Je pense qu'il a raison.
- After après que? Use indicative: Après qu'il est parti. (Compare: Avant qu'il parte.)
- Certainty expressions? Use indicative: Il est certain qu'elle viendra.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the French subjunctive used for?
The subjunctive expresses doubt, desire, emotion, necessity, or uncertainty. It appears after specific trigger phrases like "il faut que" (it is necessary that), "je veux que" (I want that), "bien que" (although), and "pour que" (so that). It is not a tense but a mood.
How do you form the French subjunctive?
Take the ils/elles form of the present tense, drop the -ent ending, and add: -e, -es, -e, -ions, -iez, -ent. For example, parler: ils parlent → parl- → que je parle, que tu parles, qu'il parle, que nous parlions, que vous parliez, qu'ils parlent.
What are the most important irregular subjunctive verbs?
The key irregulars are: être (que je sois), avoir (que j'aie), aller (que j'aille), faire (que je fasse), pouvoir (que je puisse), savoir (que je sache), and vouloir (que je veuille). These must be memorized individually.
Do French speakers actually use the subjunctive in everyday conversation?
Yes. Unlike in some languages where the subjunctive is fading, the French subjunctive is alive and well in daily speech. Phrases like "il faut que," "je veux que," and "avant que" are extremely common, so avoiding the subjunctive is not an option.
How do I know when NOT to use the subjunctive?
Do not use the subjunctive after verbs of thinking or believing in the affirmative (je pense que, je crois que — these take the indicative). Also, when the subject is the same in both clauses, use an infinitive instead: "Je veux partir" (I want to leave), NOT "Je veux que je parte."