In the world of French grammar, few topics are as intimidating for learners as the subjonctif. Many people think of it as mysterious, poetic, and unnecessarily complicated. However, in spoken French, it comes up far more than you realise! The trick is not so much “how to form it,” but rather “when and why to use it.”
This Albert-Learning article will demystify the subjonctif for you, in a practical, non-academic way. By the end, not only will you be able to recognize the subjonctif, you will also be able to know when it is needed, natural, or even unavoidable in French discourse.
Truly Understanding the Subjonctif
The subjonctif is a modality, not a whole class of tenses as in English. In English, we rarely use moods explicitly, so it may feel a bit new. However, what the subjonctif indicates is a familiar concept: it refers to something uncertain, emotional, desired, feared, possible, subjective, or dependent on something else. In other words, the subjonctif refers to when a speaker is not presenting or stating a fact, but rather an attitude towards an action.
You can think of it this way:
- Indicatif = facts we can point to
- Subjonctif = things we feel, desire, imagine, hope for or react to.
What It Looks Like (The Form Isn’t Difficult)
The subjonctif often looks like the present tense, especially for the verbs parler, finir, or choisir.
For example, the verb parler:
que je parle, que tu parles, qu’il parle, que nous parlions, que vous parliez, qu’ils parlent to
The only tricky parts to remember are the irregular verbs. Think about être, avoir, aller, faire, pouvoir, and savoir; they are very common, so certainly you would encounter their subjonctif forms frequently.
But let’s be clear, the tough part isn’t in the form. The tough part is you have to know when to use it. Now, let’s address the question at hand.
When the Subjonctif is Definitive
Here are the scenarios that make the subjonctif not optional, but mandatory.
A. Following Expressions of Desire or Will
When someone desires, demands, prefers, or wishes for something, French uses the subjonctif in the clause that follows.
Examples:
- I want you to come. → Je veux que tu viennes.
- She prefers that we leave early. → Elle préfère que nous partions tôt.
- They insist that he finish. → Ils exigent qu’il finisse.
Whenever there is any will or desire from someone, you should expect a subjonctif.
B. Following Emotions
French uses the subjonctif depending upon expressing emotions, if emotions have a subjective nature to them.
Examples:
- I am happy that you are here. → Je suis content que tu sois là.
- We are afraid he is right. → Nous avons peur qu’il ait raison.
- I am surprised you know her. → Je suis surpris que tu la connaisses.
- In any emotional reaction, the subjonctif is the most natural choice.
C. After Doubt or Uncertainty
Doubt removes the idea of a confirmed fact. If the action is not considered true, the subjonctif is required.
Examples:
I doubt he will come. → Je doute qu’il vienne.
I don’t think she is ready. → Je ne pense pas qu’elle soit prête.
It is unlikely that they agree. → Il est peu probable qu’ils soient d’accord.
Important: when the doubt disappears, the subjonctif does too.
For example:
I think she is ready. → Je pense qu’elle est prête. (indicatif)
The presence or absence of doubt changes everything.
D. After Some Conjunctions
Some conjunctions will automatically trigger the subjonctif as they signal actions expressing purpose, fear, regularity or possibility.
Here are the most common ones:
- pour que (so that)
- afin que (so that)
- bien que (although)
- quoique (even though)
- avant que (before)
- à condition que (provided that)
- sans que (without)
Examples:
We left early to so we can get to the event on time. → Nous sommes partis tôt pour que nous puissions arriver à l’événement à l’heure.
Although it is raining, I am still going outside. → Bien qu’il pleuve, je sors encore.
These conjunctions almost always trigger the subjonctif level, which is among the most predictable rules in French.
E. After Impersonal Expressions of Necessity or Importance
When you see the structure “il est + adjective + que,” and the adjective expresses judgement, necessity, or uncertainty, the subjunctive follows.
Examples:
- It is important that you understand → Il est important que vous compreniez
- It is necessary that she respond → Il est nécessaire qu’elle réponde
- It is possible he will leave → Il est possible qu’il parte
- If the adjective conveys a personal opinion or level of importance, you should expect the subjunctive.
When You Don’t Need the Subjunctive
Learners of the subjunctive often overly generalize once they know the rules. Here are moments that you should not apply it.
A. After verbs that express certainty
Je sais que, je suis sûr que, il est clair que, il est vrai que
These sentences introduce facts, so the indicative is correct.
B. After verbs of thinking or believe in the affirmative
Je pense que, je crois que, je trouve que
These take the indicative because they imply belief.
C. In simple statements in the past, present, or future.
If there is no emotion, no doubt, no wish, and no conjunction requiring it, you don’t need the subjunctive.
Inside the Feeling State Rather than Memorizing it
Students at Albert Learning routinely ask about a “trick.” The trouble is: French speakers do not think about the subjonctif logically. They feel it, because it denotes subjectivity. Here are some ways to help foster that instinct:
- Think about whether the action is a fact or an attitude.
- Ask yourself: is the speaker responding to someone’s emotions?
- Look for the sentence range of what is desired, feared or wished.
- Notice trigger words like: avant que; bien que; pour que.
- Tune into native speakers in film, podcast, or class and let the sound fit into the rhythm of every-day French.
With time, the subjonctif becomes less of a rule of thumb, and the more we operate in the space, a natural response to more specific ideas.
Why the Subjonctif Thing Really Matters
Many learners believe the subjonctif is rarely used by native speakers. This is not true. One will hear it constantly in spoken French and it is more frequently used in everyday expression:
- Il faut que j’y aille.
- Il faut que tu viennes.
- Bien qu’il soit tard.
- Je veux que tu comprennes.
These are all expressions more commonly used and are often essential in sounding confident as a French speaker.
Conclusion
Don’t think that it’s possible to internalize every rule of the subjonctif all at once. Concentrate on the most frequent triggers: desire, emotion, doubt, necessity, and some conjunctions. Use examples to guide you, and slowly, you’ll develop a feel for when it’s appropriate to use the subjonctif, and the corresponding feelings.
French is a nuanced language; the subjonctif is one way that speakers expresses nuances. Recognizing when to use the subjonctif isn’t merely a matter of grammatical understanding; it is a gateway to more authentic and deeper communication.
