🎓 Prepared by students from Boğaziçi University

What is Subjonctif Présent?

Subjonctif présent (present subjunctive) is a French verb mood expressing doubt, desire, necessity, emotion, or commands. Unlike indicative (facts), subjunctive conveys uncertainty or the speaker's attitude toward an action.

Short answer

Subjonctif présent expresses subjective attitudes — doubt, wish, necessity. Formed from the ils/elles present stem + subjunctive endings. Always used after 'que' in dependent clauses.

Subjonctif Présent Formation

1
Take ils/elles Stem
From present indicative: parlent → parl-, finissent → finiss-
↓
2
Add Subjunctive Endings
-e, -es, -e, -ions, -iez, -ent
↓
3
Complete Subjunctive
que je parle, que tu parles, qu'il parle…
↓
4
Usage Context
After verbs of doubt, desire, emotion, or necessity

Step-by-step worked examples

Form subjunctive for 'Je veux que tu parles.' (I want you to speak.)

Main verb: vouloir (want) — triggers subjunctive
Subordinate subject: tu
Verb: parler
ils/elles stem: parlent → parl-
Subjunctive form: que tu parles
Complete: Je veux que tu parles.

Use subjunctive with doubt: 'Je ne crois pas qu'il vienne.' (I don't think he comes.)

Main clause: Je ne crois pas = I don't believe (doubt)
Subordinate subject: il
Verb: venir
ils/elles stem: viennent → vienn-
Subjunctive: qu'il vienne
Complete: Je ne crois pas qu'il vienne.

Express necessity: 'Il faut que vous finissiez ce travail.' (You must finish this work.)

Main verb: il faut (it is necessary) — triggers subjunctive
Subordinate subject: vous
Verb: finir
ils/elles stem: finissent → finiss-
Subjunctive: que vous finissiez
Complete: Il faut que vous finissiez.

Flashcards

Quick quiz

Q1.What is the subjunctive form of 'that I speak'?

Correct answer: A. Subjunctive stem parl- + ending -e for je. 'Que' always precedes.

Q2.Which verb triggers subjunctive in French?

Correct answer: C. 'Douter' (to doubt) requires subjunctive in dependent clause: 'Je doute qu'il vienne.'

Q3.Complete: 'Il faut que tu ___ tes devoirs.'

Correct answer: B. 'Il faut' (necessity) triggers subjunctive. Finir → finiss- → finisses (tu form).

Q4.Is subjunctive used in main clauses?

Correct answer: C. Subjunctive is primarily used after certain verbs in dependent clauses with 'que'.

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Common mistakes

✗

Using indicative instead of subjunctive after doubt/desire verbs. — Correct: After 'je veux que', 'je doute que', use subjunctive, not indicative.

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Forgetting 'que' when forming subjunctive. — Correct: Subjunctive always appears in a dependent clause preceded by 'que'.

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Confusing subjunctive with conditional. — Correct: Subjunctive expresses uncertainty in dependent clauses; conditional expresses 'would'.

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Using wrong stem (present je instead of ils/elles). — Correct: Always use ils/elles stem: parlent → parl-, finissent → finiss-.

FAQ

What is subjonctif présent in French?

A verb mood expressing doubt, desire, emotion, or necessity in dependent clauses, always following 'que'.

When do you use the subjunctive?

After verbs of doubt (douter), desire (vouloir), emotion (avoir peur), necessity (il faut), or prohibition.

What's the difference between subjunctive and indicative?

Indicative states facts; subjunctive expresses subjectivity (doubt, wish, emotion). Same subject, different mood.

What is the subjunctive stem?

The ils/elles present indicative stem. Example: parler → parlent → parl-.