The past subjunctive is a compound tense formed with the present subjunctive of avoir or être + the past participle. It is used to talk about something that has already happened within a subjunctive context (e.g., doubt, emotion, necessity).
Formation
Auxiliary Verb
- Use avoir or être in the present subjunctive form.
- Most verbs use avoir.
- Verbs of movement/reflexive verbs use être.
Past Participle
- Add the regular past participle endings (-é, -i, -u) or irregular forms.
Examples
| Verb | Past Participle | Auxiliary | Example in Past Subjunctive |
|---|---|---|---|
| parler | parlé | avoir | que j’aie parlé |
| finir | fini | avoir | que tu aies fini |
| vendre | vendu | avoir | qu’il ait vendu |
| aller | allé | être | que je sois allé(e) |
| se lever | levé | être | que nous nous soyons levé(e)s |
Note: For être verbs, participles agree in gender/number (add -e/-s). For avoir verbs, agreement only if direct object precedes.
Usage
. Actions in the past within a subjunctive context
Used when you need the subjunctive but the action is in the past.
Examples:
- Il faut que tu aies fini tes devoirs avant de sortir.
(... that you finish your homework before going out.)*
- Je doute qu’elle soit partie tôt ce matin.
(... that she left early this morning.)*
. After expressions requiring the past subjunctive
Some expressions naturally point to past actions.
Examples:
- Bien que nous ayons vu ce film, il restait des surprises.
(... even though we saw this movie, there were surprises.)*
- Avant qu’il ne soit arrivé, j’avais déjà mangé.
(... before he arrived, I had already eaten.)*
. In subordinate clauses after a main clause in the past or conditional
When the main clause is in the past (imparfait, passé composé, plus-que-parfait) or conditional, and the subordinate clause involves a subjunctive meaning, the past subjunctive is used.
Examples:
- Je ne pensais pas qu’elle ait quitté son emploi si rapidement.
(... I didn’t think she had left her job so quickly.)*
- Il aurait fallu que tu sois venu(e) hier.
(... it would have been necessary for you to come yesterday.)*
. After verbs of doubt, emotion, or necessity referring to past actions
If the main clause expresses doubt, emotion, or necessity about a past action, use past subjunctive.
Examples:
- Je ne crois pas qu’il ait menti.
(... I don’t believe he lied.)*
- Je suis heureuse que tu aies réussi l’examen.
(... I’m happy that you passed the exam.)*
Examples
With avoir verbs
| French Example | English Example |
|---|---|
| Il faut que tu aies parlé à Marie. | You must have spoken to Marie. |
| Je doute qu’il ait fini. | I doubt that he finished. |
| Bien qu’ils aient vendu leur maison, ils restent ici. | Although they sold their house, they are staying here. |
I doubt that he ___ the project before the deadline.
ait fini
Use 'ait fini' (past subjunctive of finir) because it's about a doubtful past action.
With être verbs
| French Example | English Example |
|---|---|
| Il est possible que je sois allé(e) à Paris. | It’s possible that I went to Paris. |
| Elle regrette que nous soyons partis si tôt. | She regrets that we left so early. |
| Même s’ils soient retournés, le problème persiste. | Even if they returned, the problem persists. |
Summary
- Use past subjunctive for completed past actions within a subjunctive context.
- Form with present subjunctive of avoir/être + past participle.
- Agreement rules apply for être verbs and some avoir verbs.
- Common triggers: doubt, emotion, necessity, temporal conjunctions (avant que, bien que), and subordinate clauses after past/conditional.
Which of the following forms is the past subjunctive of “finir” for the subject “nous”?
que nous ayons fini
Past subjunctive of “finir” for “nous” is formed with 'ayons' + past participle 'fini': que nous ayons fini.
Flashcards (1 of 6)
- English Example: You must have spoken to Marie.
Last updated: Wed Jun 18, 2025
