🎓 Prepared by students from Boğaziçi University

What is Subjunctive Mood?

The subjunctive mood is a French grammatical mood used to express desires, doubts, fears, and commands. Unlike the indicative mood, which states facts, the subjunctive conveys subjectivity and uncertainty. It appears in dependent clauses after specific triggers like vouloir (to want), douter (to doubt), and avoir peur (to fear).

Short answer

The subjunctive mood is a French verbal form expressing wishes, doubts, or commands, triggered by certain verbs and expressions. It differs from the indicative by conveying uncertainty rather than fact.

Subjunctive Mood Formation

1
Trigger Verb
vouloir, douter, avoir peur, il faut
↓
2
Dependent Clause
que + subjunctive verb
↓
3
Subjunctive Verb
je parle, tu ailles, il craigne

Step-by-step worked examples

Je veux que tu fasses tes devoirs. (I want you to do your homework.)

Trigger verb: vouloir (to want)
Dependent clause: que tu fasses
Fasses = subjunctive of faire, 2nd person
Used because vouloir expresses a desire

Il est possible qu'elle aille à Paris. (It's possible she goes to Paris.)

Trigger: il est possible (it's possible)
Dependent clause: qu'elle aille
Aille = subjunctive of aller, 3rd person
Used because of doubt/possibility

J'ai peur que vous ne veniez pas. (I'm afraid you won't come.)

Trigger: avoir peur (to fear)
Dependent clause: que vous ne veniez
Veniez = subjunctive of venir, 2nd person plural
Used because of fear/doubt

Flashcards

Quick quiz

Q1.Which sentence uses subjunctive correctly?

Correct answer: B. Douter (to doubt) triggers subjunctive. 'Je doute qu'il vienne' is correct.

Q2.After which verb do you use subjunctive?

Correct answer: D. Vouloir expresses a desire, requiring subjunctive in the dependent clause.

Q3.Complete: Il faut que tu ___.

Correct answer: B. Il faut (it's necessary) requires subjunctive: 'que tu viennes' (that you come).

Q4.Subjunctive is used to express…

Correct answer: B. Subjunctive expresses subjectivity: wishes, doubts, fears, demands.

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Common mistakes

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Using subjunctive after certainty verbs. — Correct: Use indicative after 'je sais', 'il est certain', 'je crois'. Use subjunctive after doubt and desire.

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Forgetting 'que' before subjunctive. — Correct: 'Que' is required: 'Je veux que tu parles' — never just 'Je veux tu parles'.

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Confusing subjunctive with conditional. — Correct: Subjunctive expresses wishes/doubts; conditional is for 'would' situations.

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Using subjunctive in main clauses. — Correct: Subjunctive belongs in dependent clauses, not independent ones.

FAQ

What is subjunctive mood in French?

A grammatical mood expressing wishes, doubts, commands, and uncertainty — used in dependent clauses after specific triggers.

What verbs trigger subjunctive?

vouloir (want), exiger (demand), douter (doubt), craindre (fear), avoir peur (fear), il faut (must), il est possible (it's possible).

How is subjunctive formed?

Usually from the 3rd person plural of the present indicative, with subjunctive endings (-e, -es, -e, -ions, -iez, -ent).

Do you always use subjunctive after 'que'?

No — 'que' alone doesn't trigger it. You need a trigger verb that requires subjunctive mood.