French conjugation explanation

Subjunctive vs. indicative

<p>

The <strong>indicative</strong> (<span style="font-style: italic;">indicatif</span>) and <strong>subjunctive</strong> (<span style="font-style: italic;">subjonctif</span>) moods are used to express different things in French. We usually use the indicative mood to talk about things that are considered to be <strong>facts or truths</strong>. In contrast, we use the subjunctive mood to talk about <strong>desires, doubts, emotions, and imaginary situations</strong>. It is also used after certain expressions followed by "que" . Let's have a look at examples for the most common uses of the subjunctive mood.

</p>

<ul>

<li><strong>ADVICE:</strong>

<div class="conjugation_explanation_example_sentence">Je recommande que nous <strong>gardions</strong> nos distances. (<span style="font-style: italic;">I recommend we keep our distance.</span>)</div>

</li>

<li><strong>DOUBT:</strong>

<div class="conjugation_explanation_example_sentence">Je doute qu'il <strong>soit</strong> honnête. (<span style="font-style: italic;">I doubt if he is honest.</span>)</div>

</li>

<li><strong>EMOTION:</strong>

<div class="conjugation_explanation_example_sentence">Je suis heureux que tu <strong>sois</strong> heureux. (<span style="font-style: italic;">I'm happy you're happy.</span>)</div>

</li>

<li><strong>FEAR:</strong>

<div class="conjugation_explanation_example_sentence">Je crains que nous <strong>ayons</strong> un problème. (<span style="font-style: italic;">I'm afraid we have a problem.</span>)</div>

</li>

<li><strong>IMPROBABILITY:</strong>

<div class="conjugation_explanation_example_sentence">Il est peu probable que ce <strong>soit</strong> vrai. (<span style="font-style: italic;">It's unlikely to be true.</span>)</div>

</li>

<li><strong>(NEGATIVE) OPINION:</strong>

<div class="conjugation_explanation_example_sentence">Je ne pense pas que je <strong>veuille</strong> en parler. (<span style="font-style: italic;">I don't think I want to talk about it.</span>)</div>

<p>But we have to use indicative if it's a positive belief:</p>

<div class="conjugation_explanation_example_sentence">Je pense que je <strong>veux</strong> en parler. (<span style="font-style: italic;">I think I want to talk about it.</span>)</div>

</li>

</li>

<li><strong>REGRET:</strong>

<div class="conjugation_explanation_example_sentence">C'est triste que tu <strong>doives</strong> partir. (<span style="font-style: italic;">I'm sorry you're leaving us.</span>)</div>

</li>

<li><strong>SUGGESTION:</strong>

<div class="conjugation_explanation_example_sentence">Je suggère que nous <strong>continuions</strong>. (<span style="font-style: italic;">I suggest we continue.</span>)</div>

</li>

<li><strong>WISH:</strong>

<div class="conjugation_explanation_example_sentence">J'aimerais que nous <strong>puissions</strong> passer davantage de temps ensemble. (<span style="font-style: italic;">I wish that we could spend more time together.</span>)</div>

</li>

</ul>

<div class="conjugation_explanation_title">Expressions</div>

<ul>

<li><strong>AFIN QUE</strong> (so that):

<div class="conjugation_explanation_example_sentence">Je dis cela afin que tu <strong>comprennes</strong>. (<span style="font-style: italic;">I say this so that you understand.</span>)</div>

</li>

<li><strong>AVANT QUE</strong> (before):

<div class="conjugation_explanation_example_sentence">Je t'appellerai avant que je <strong>parte</strong>. (<span style="font-style: italic;">I'll call you before I leave.</span>)</div>

</li>

<li><strong>À MOINS QUE</strong> (unless):

<div class="conjugation_explanation_example_sentence">Ne dites rien, à moins que ce ne <strong>soit</strong> important ! (<span style="font-style: italic;">Don't say anything unless it's important.</span>)</div>

</li>

<li><strong>BIEN QUE</strong> (although):

<div class="conjugation_explanation_example_sentence">Bien que je <strong>sois</strong> malade, je dois aller travailler. (<span style="font-style: italic;">Although I'm sick, I have to go to work.</span>)</div>

</li>

<li><strong>C'EST/IL EST DOMMAGE QUE</strong> (it's a pity that):

<div class="conjugation_explanation_example_sentence">Il est dommage que vous ne <strong>veniez</strong> pas. (<span style="font-style: italic;">It's a shame that you're not coming.</span>)</div>

</li>

<li><strong>C'EST/IL EST IMPORTANT QUE</strong> (it's important that):

<div class="conjugation_explanation_example_sentence">Il est important que tu <strong>entendes</strong> cela. (<span style="font-style: italic;">It's important that you hear this.</span>)</div>

</li>

<li><strong>IL FAUT QUE</strong> (it's necessary that):

<div class="conjugation_explanation_example_sentence">Il faut que tu <strong>sois</strong> plus patient. (<span style="font-style: italic;">You need to be more patient.</span>)</div>

</li>

<li><strong>IL VAUT MIEUX QUE</strong> (until):

<div class="conjugation_explanation_example_sentence">Il vaut mieux que tu y <strong>ailles</strong>. (<span style="font-style: italic;">You'd better go.</span>)</div>

</li>

<li><strong>JUSQU'À CE QUE</strong> (for):

<div class="conjugation_explanation_example_sentence">Attends ici jusqu'à ce que je <strong>revienne</strong>. (<span style="font-style: italic;">Wait here till I come back.</span>)</div>

</li>

<li><strong>POUR QUE</strong> (for):

<div class="conjugation_explanation_example_sentence">Il a insisté pour que je le <strong>rejoigne</strong>. (<span style="font-style: italic;">He insisted that I join him.</span>)</div>

</li>

<li><strong>QUI QUE</strong> (whoever):

<div class="conjugation_explanation_example_sentence">Avez-vous vu qui que ce <strong>soit</strong> ? (<span style="font-style: italic;">Did you see anybody?</span>)</div>

</li>

<li><strong>QUOI QUE</strong> (whatever):

<div class="conjugation_explanation_example_sentence">Je fumerai, quoi que tu <strong>dises</strong>. (<span style="font-style: italic;">I will keep on smoking no matter what you say.</span>)</div>

</li>

<li><strong>SANS QUE</strong> (without):

<div class="conjugation_explanation_example_sentence">Il l'a fait sans que je le <strong>sache</strong>. (<span style="font-style: italic;">He did it without me knowing.</span>)</div>

</li>

</ul>