How To Use the Subjonctif

Il faut que vous

puissez le faire!
RECAP:
The 2
nd
verb of a sentence (in other words, the verb in the
subordinate clause) is subjunctive IF AND ONLY IF:

1. The first subject-verb pair (in other words, the main
clauses) expresses NEDnecessity, emotion, or desire.

*Careful! Jespre que (I hope that) expresses desire but is
followed by the present or future, NOT the subjunctive.

2. The subjects in each clause represent DIFFERENT
people.

3. The subordinating conjunction (in other words, the word
that connects the 2 clauses) is QUE/QU.
If the main clauses doesnt convey NED.
DONT USE THE
SUBJUNCTIVE!

Modle: Je pense quil finit son examen.

I think that he is finishing his test.


If the conjunction is anything besides que
DONT USE THE
SUBJUNCTIVE!
Modle: Je suis triste parce que vous me
quittez.

Im sad because you all are leaving me.


Sentences that use the subjunctive
rarely translate word-for-word
from English into French.

Chances are, if you use an object pronoun
followed by an infinitive in English,
(you to finish, us to leave, me to do)
you have to use the subjunctive in French.

Study the following examples.


It is necessary for you to finish
your chores.

Il faut pour tu finir tes
corves.
Il faut que tu finisses tes
corves.
NED:
necessity
subjunctive
HERE
2 different
subjects
It would be better
for us to drive.

Il vaudrait mieux pour nous
conduire.
Il vaudrait mieux que nous
conduisions.
NED:
necessity

subjunctive
HERE
2 different
subjects
I would like for you all to leave.

Jaimerais pour vous partir.
Jaimerais que vous partiez.
NED:
desire
subjunctive
HERE
2 different
subjects
My mom wants me to do the
dishes.

Ma mre veut moi faire la
vaisselle.
Ma mre veut que je fasse la
vaisselle.
NED:
desire
subjunctive
HERE
2 different
subjects
Im delighted you are coming to
my party!

Je suis ravi
tu ma fte!
NED:
emotion
subjunctive
HERE
2 different
subjects
viennes
viens
que
que is NOT
optional!
Im sorry your dad is sick.


Je suis dsole
ton pre malade.
NED:
emotion
subjunctive
HERE
2 different
subjects
soit est
que
que is NOT
optional!
Maintenant, cest ton tour!
Ecris les phrases en franais.
It is necessary for you all to
apply for a job.
Il faut que vous posiez vos
candidatures.
It would be better for us to
divorce.
Il vaudrait mieux que nous
divorcions.
I want him to retire.
Je dsire qu
Je veux qu il prenne sa retraite.
Jai envie qu
I would like for us to make up.

Jaimerais / Je voudrais
que nous nous rconciliions/
quon se rconcilie.
Its too bad that your
boyfriend doesnt get along
with your parents.
Cest dommage que ton petit
ami ne sentende pas avec
tes parents.
Were delighted that you all
are getting married.
On est ravis / Nous sommes
ravis que vous vous mariiez.
They (mixed) are sad were
moving.
Ils sont tristes / malheureux
que nous dmnagions/
quon dmnage.