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 by “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 tenir, rire, vivre, vaincre, and vendre.

Verbs conjugating like tenir

The following verbs conjugate into the present subjunctive like tenir: s’abstenir, advenir, appartenir, contenir, convenir, détenir, devenir, disconvenir, entretenir, intervenir, maintenir, obtenir, parvenir, prévenir, provenir, retenir, revenir, soutenir, se souvenir, survenir, and venir.

Conjugation of the verb tenir:

que je	tienne
que tu	tiennes
qu’ il/elle	tienne
que nous	tenions
que vous	teniez
qu’ils/elles	tiennent

Example:

Il faut que nous tenions compte de la proximité de l’école avec la raffinerie du village.
We have to take into account the proximity of the school to the refinery of the village.

Verbs conjugating like rire

There is one verb that conjugates like rire : sourire.

Conjugation of the verb rire:

que je	rie
que tu	ries
qu’ il/elle	rie
que nous	riions
que vous	riiez
qu’ils/elles	rient

Example:

Il est nécessaire que vous souriiez quand vous parlez aux clients. Le sourire est primordial pour établir une bonne relation entre le vendeur et le consommateur.
you must smile when you talk to clients. Smiling is essential in establishing a good relationship between the seller and the customer.

Verbs conjugating like vivre

The following verbs conjugate into the present subjunctive like vivre: revivre, and survivre.

Conjugation of the verb vivre:

que je	vive
que tu	vives
qu’ il/elle	vive
que nous	vivions
que vous	viviez
qu’ils/elles	vivent

Example:

Il n’est pas certain qu’elle survive à cette séparation. Elle est très attachée à ses enfants.
It’s not certain that she survives this separation. She is very attached to her children.

Verbs conjugating like vaincre

There is only one verb that conjugates like vaincre: convaincre.

Conjugation of the verb vaincre:

que je	vainque
que tu	vainques
qu’ il/elle	vainque
que nous	vainquions
que vous	vainquiez
qu’ils/elles	vainquent

Example:

Il est peu probable que nous vainquions cette équipe. Elle est trop forte !
It’s rather unlikely that we will defeat this team. They are very good!

Verbs conjugating like vendre

The following verbs conjugate like vendre: attendre, confondre, correspondre, dépendre, descendre, entendre, étendre, fendre, fondre, mordre, pendre, perdre, pondre, prétendre, rendre, and suspendre.

Conjugation of the verb vendre:

que je	vende
que tu	vendes
qu’ il/elle	vende
que nous	vendions
que vous	vendiez
qu’ils/elles	vendent