The subjunctive is the scariest thing in the French language. It’s got all kinds of rules about when to use it, and it’s got weird conjugations.
Here are the basics.
1. There are always 2 phrases.
2. Phrase #1 and phrase #2 always have different subjects.
3. Usually the outcome, desired effect of phrase #1 is that phrase #2 happen.
4. The word order in French to express this is completely different than the word order in English.
Examples
a. I want you to do the dishes. (English) translates to I want that you do the dishes (French structure)
b. The judge ordered the prisoner to go to prison. (English) translates to The judge ordered that the prisoner go to prison. (French structure)
In both examples, the subject of phrase #1 is wanting that the subject of phrase #2 do something.
In both examples, it is not certain that the action in phrase #2 is actually happening, hence the use of the subjunctive phrase. The dishes aren’t actually getting done, I’m just wanting that they get done. The prisoner isn’t actually going to jail, the judge is just ordering that he go to jail.
There are 10 basic cues or categories that happen in phrase #1 that tell us to use the subjunctive in phrase #2. If you can remember the meaning or intention behind these categories, it’s a ton easier than remembering each specific word or phrase cue.
To form the subjunctive can be a bit tricky (eye roll here)
1. For regular verbs
a. take the ils form of the verb
b. drop the ‘ent’ – this will give you your subjunctive root
c. add the subjunctive endings
| Je – e | Nous – ions |
| Tu – es | Vous – iez |
| Il – e | Ils – ent |
| je finisse | nous finissions |
| tu finisses | vous finissiez |
| il finisse | ils finissent |
| je vende | nous vendions |
| tu vendes | vous vendiez |
| il vende | ils vendent |
2. For irregular verbs a. For the je, tu, il, and ils forms of the verb * take the ils form of the verb * drop the ‘ent’ and add the subjunctive endings b. For the nous and vous forms of the verb you just take the plain old imparfait conjugations.
Here’s an irregular verb
| je boive | nous buvions |
| tu boives | vous buviez |
| il boive | ils boivent |
*avoir, être, faire, pouvoir, savoir, vouloir, and aller are way irregular*
avoir
| j’aie | nous ayons |
| tu aies | vous ayez |
| il ait | ils aient |
faire
| je fasse | nous fassions |
| tu fasses | vous fassiez |
| il fasse | ils fassent |
pouvoir
| je puisse | nous puissions |
| tu puisses | vous puissiez |
| il puisse | ils puissent |
être
| je sois | nous soyons |
| tu sois | vous soyez |
| il soit | ils soient |
savoir
| je sache | nous sachions |
| tu saches | vous sachiez |
| il sache | ils sachent |
vouloir
| je veuille | nous voulions |
| tu veuilles | vous vouliez |
| il veuille | ils veuillent |
aller
| j’aille | nous allions |
| tu ailles | vous alliez |
| il aille | ils aillent |
“Les Subjonctifs sont les ennemis de l’ordre, des individus de la pire espèce” Orsenna
