When is the subjunctive required?

The subjunctive is a mood used in French to express uncertainty, doubt, volition, fear and other emotions. Its use can be triggered by certain verbs or subordinative conjunctions. It is used in subordinate clauses and with impersonal constructions such as Il faut que.. or Il serait mieux que. There are four tenses in the subjunctive but you're only likely to come across two of them: le subonctif présent and le subonctif passé. Here are a few verbs which are usually followed by a subjunctive tense: vouloir que, préférer que, avoir peur que, être content que and here is a list of some of the conjunctions that need the subjunctive: bien quoi, quoique, à moins que, afin que, avant que and the list goes on and on.