Subjunctive

The subjunctive mood in French highlights doubt, desire, necessity, emotion, and other subjective attitudes rather than concrete facts. It appears mainly in subordinate clauses triggered by certain expressions.

Formation

The present subjunctive is formed from the third-person plural (ils) stem of the present indicative, with set endings for each group of verbs. Some common verbs have irregular subjunctive stems.

Endings

Attach the subjunctive endings to the stem: -e, -es, -e, -ions, -iez, -ent. These endings apply consistently to -ar, -er, and -ir type verbs in French.

French Example	English Translation
🌸 Il faut que je parle.	I must speak.
🍴 Il faut que tu sortes.	You must go out.
🌙 Il faut qu’il finisse.	He must finish.
🧺 Il faut que nous attendions.	We must wait.
🧹 Il faut que vous répondiez.	You must respond.
🥞 Il faut qu’ils vendent.	They must sell.

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Formation Examples

French Example	English Translation	Note
☕ Je veux que tu viennes ce soir.	I want you to come tonight.	Wants
🥖 Il faut que nous partions tôt demain.	We must leave early tomorrow.	Necessity
🍓 Bien qu’elle soit malade, elle travaille.	Although she is sick, she works.	Concession
🧒 Je doute qu’il ait fini ses devoirs.	I doubt that he has finished his homework.	Doubt

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Key Verbs

Certain high-frequency verbs are irregular in the subjunctive and must be memorized because they commonly appear in spoken and written French.

être

The subjunctive forms of être use the stem soi- for most persons and sui- for nous/vous.

French Subjunctive	English Translation
que je sois	that I be
que tu sois	that you be
qu’il/elle/on soit	that he/she/one be
que nous soyons	that we be
que vous soyez	that you be
qu’ils/elles soient	that they be

French Example	English Translation
🧑 Il faut que je sois à l’heure.	I must be on time.
🧑‍🍳 Il faut que tu sois prêt avant six.	You must be ready before six.
🧓 Il faut qu’il soit patient.	He must be patient.
👩‍🏫 Il faut que nous soyons attentifs.	We must be attentive.
🧑‍🚒 Il faut que vous soyez courageux.	You must be courageous.
🧑‍🎨 Il faut qu’ils soient créatifs.	They must be creative.

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avoir

The subjunctive forms of avoir use the stem aie- for the singular and third person plural, and ay- for nous/vous.

French Subjunctive	English Translation
que j’aie	that I have
que tu aies	that you have
qu’il/elle/on ait	that he/she/one have
que nous ayons	that we have
que vous ayez	that you have
qu’ils/elles aient	that they have

French Example	English Translation
🛒 Il faut que j’aie assez d’argent.	I must have enough money.
🏠 Il faut que tu aies la clé.	You must have the key.
📅 Il faut qu’il ait une date précise.	He must have a specific date.
🧾 Il faut que nous ayons la liste.	We must have the list.
🧳 Il faut que vous ayez vos bagages.	You must have your luggage.
🧸 Il faut qu’ils aient des jouets.	They must have toys.

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aller

The subjunctive forms of aller use the stem aill- for most persons and all- for nous/vous.

French Subjunctive	English Translation
que j’aille	that I go
que tu ailles	that you go
qu’il/elle/on aille	that he/she/one go
que nous allions	that we go
que vous alliez	that you go
qu’ils/elles aillent	that they go

French Example	English Translation
🍽️ Il faut que j’aille au marché.	I must go to the market.
🏃 Il faut que tu ailles vite.	You must go quickly.
🚗 Il faut qu’ilaille chez le boulanger.	He must go to the baker.
🚌 Il faut que nous allions en ville.	We must go to town.
🚶 Il faut que vous alliez préparer la table.	You must go set the table.
🐕 Il faut qu’ils aillent promener le chien.	They must go walk the dog.

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faire

The subjunctive forms of faire use the stem fass- for most persons and fassi- for nous/vous.

French Subjunctive	English Translation
que je fasse	that I do/make
que tu fasses	that you do/make
qu’il/elle/on fasse	that he/she/one do/make
que nous fassions	that we do/make
que vous fassiez	that you do/make
qu’ils/elles fassent	that they do/make

French Example	English Translation
🍳 Il faut que je fasse la pâte.	I must make the dough.
🧼 Il faut que tu fasses la vaisselle.	You must do the dishes.
🥗 Il faut qu’il fasse la salade.	He must make the salad.
🧑‍🌾 Il faut que nous fassions le jardin.	We must do the gardening.
🧵 Il faut que vous fassiez les nappes.	You must make the tablecloths.
🎉 Il faut qu’ils fassent la fête.	They must celebrate.

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Usage

The subjunctive appears in subordinate clauses after expressions of doubt, desire, necessity, emotion, and judgment, as well as after certain conjunctions. It is not used after statements of certainty.

Trigger Expressions

Expressions that require the subjunctive include those for wanting, fearing, regretting, needing, and doubting, typically introduced by que.

French Example	English Translation
🍰 Je veux que tu goûtes ça.	I want you to taste this.
⏰ Il faut que nous commencions maintenant.	We must start now.
🤞 J’espère qu’il réussisse.	I hope he succeeds.
😕 Je doute qu’elle ait compris.	I doubt she understood.
👩‍🍳 Bien que ce soit compliqué, je le fais.	Although it is complicated, I do it.
🚫 Il est important que tu sois prudent.	It is important that you be careful.

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Usage Examples

French Example	English Translation
🍊 Je veux que tu coupes les oranges.	I want you to cut the oranges.
🧴 Il faut que tu laves les mains avant de cuisiner.	You must wash your hands before cooking.
🧑‍🍳 Bien qu’il soit tard, je prépare le dessert.	Although it is late, I am making the dessert.
🤔 Je doute qu’il ait mis assez de sucre.	I doubt that he put enough sugar.
🙏 Il est important que tu viennes m’aider.	It is important that you come help me.

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Summary

The subjunctive mood expresses subjective attitudes like doubt, desire, and necessity. Learn the key trigger expressions and memorize the common irregular subjunctive forms to apply it naturally in speech and writing.

Last updated: Sun Sep 14, 2025