The subjunctive tense is common in the French language. However, it can be challenging for non-native French speakers to determine in which situations to use it and with which phrases and verbs.

In this chapter, we will study the form of the present subjunctive as well as its use. First, we will start with the form of the verbs then we’ll explore the use of this tense.

The subjunctive tense is ALWAYS preceded with “que”. So in all the conjugations of the verbs throughout this chapter, we will have “que” before the verb in the subjunctive.

In this part, we will explore the conjugation of the verbs of the third group. As we already mentioned in other lessons, the verbs of the third group are called irregular verbs which means that they don’t follow the same rule when they conjugate. In this part we will group verbs according to their conjugation in the present subjunctive. We will notice that the ending and the root play a significant part in helping us conjugate into the present subjunctive.

In this lesson, we will study the verbs conjugating like paraître, peindre, prendre and recevoir.

Verbs conjugating like paraître

The following verbs conjugate into the present subjunctive like paraître: comparaître, connaître, disparaître, méconnaître, réapparaître, reconnaître.

Conjugation of the verb paraître:

que je	paraisse
que tu	paraisses
qu’ il/elle	paraisse
que nous	paraissions
que vous	paraissiez
qu’ils/elles	paraissent

Remember:When conjugated into the present subjunctive, verbs ending in “aître” drop the accent circonflexe on the “i”.

For example:

Essayez de signer le contrat avant que l’article sur la vente des produits toxiques ne paraisse sur le journal.
Try to sign the contract before the publication on the paper of the article about the sale of toxic products.

Verbs conjugating like peindre

The following verbs conjugate like peindre: adjoindre, astreindre, atteindre, ceindre, dépeindre, déteindre, enfreindre, éteindre, feindre, geindre, repeindre, restreindre, etc.

Conjugation of the verb peindre:

que je	peigne
que tu	peignes
qu’ il/elle	peigne
que nous	peignions
que vous	peigniez
qu’ils/elles	peignent

For example:

J’exige que vous peigniez ce mur en noir. C’est moi le patron; vous devez suivre mes ordres.
I demand that you paint this wall in black. I am the boss; you must follow my orders.

Remember: Peindre and peigner are completely different verbs; yet, they have the same conjugation in the present subjunctive.

Verbs conjugating like prendre

The following verbs conjugate like prendre: apprendre, comprendre, entreprendre, s’éprendre, se méprendre, reprendre, surprendre, etc.

Conjugation of the verb prendre:

que je	prenne
que tu	prennes
qu’ il/elle	prenne
que nous	prenions
que vous	preniez
qu’ils/elles	prennent

For example:

Je vais continuer à te demander de ranger tes affaires jusqu’à ce que tu apprennes à le faire tout seul.
I will keep asking you to put your stuff away until you learn to do it all by yourself.

Verbs conjugating like recevoir

The following verbs conjugate like recevoir: apercevoir, concevoir, décevoir, percevoir.

Conjugation of the verb recevoir into the present subjunctive:

que je	reçoive
que tu	reçoives
qu’ il/elle	reçoive
que nous	recevions
que vous	receviez
qu’ils/elles	reçoivent

Remember: Pay attention to the “cédille” under the “c”. It is only present with the singular personal pronouns and the 3^rd person plural.

For example:

Il veut que vous le receviez ici dans votre bureau.
He wants you to receive him here in your office.