When do I use the subjunctive in French?

The subjunctive form is gradually becoming less common in French, however it is important to be able to recognise this mood in writing. Its formation is simple:take the third-person present plural form of the verb, remove the -ent, and add the following endings:-e, -es, -e, -ions, -iez, -entyou'll notice that for the vast majority of French verbs (-er verbs), this means that there is no difference between the indicative and subjunctive forms. the important ones to remember are the irregular verbs: here are some examples now - faire ~ fasse, savoir ~ sache, etre ~ sois, avoir ~ aiewhen do i use this form?the subjunctive in French is now used only in certain set constructions - it no longer meaningfully contrasts with the indicative and will only be found in specific contexts. this means that it will always be preceded by the conjunction "que". the best way to group these constructions is under the heading of doubt - if doubt appears to be expressed, it is more likely that the subjunctive will be used. unfortunately, there is no uniform rule here, and to a certain extent, these constructions must simply be learnt by memory. this is why recognition of the form is just as important here.examples:il est etonnant quedouter queil se peut quevouloir quepreferer que

Answered by Stephen S. French tutor

1327 Views

See similar French A Level tutors

Related French A Level answers

All answers ▸

What is the subjunctive? Is it another verb tense? How can I incorporate it into my French A-Level writing/speaking?


What should I do if I don't know a word when doing the translation section of the exam?


"La surveillance envahit la vie personnelle des gens; il faut que le gouvernement l'arrête." Discutez ce jugement.


How do I push myself to improve my speaking and listening skills in French?


We're here to help

contact us iconContact usWhatsapp logoMessage us on Whatsapptelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

© MyTutorWeb Ltd 2013–2025

Terms & Conditions|Privacy Policy
Cookie Preferences