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 try to answer a very common question that French learners often ask: When do we use the present subjunctive?

We use the subjunctive in subordinate clauses introduced by the relative pronoun “que”.

First, it is important to mention that the use of the present subjunctive depends more on the meaning expressed in the sentence than the verbs or the expressions that are used in the sentence. That’s why it is sometimes hard to determine whether we should use the subjunctive, the indicative or the conditional.

The subjunctive is generally used when we want to express probability, possibility, uncertainty, obligation, fear, judgment, necessity, or wish. In this lesson, we will study the verbs that are commonly used with the subjunctive when a subordinate clause is present in the sentence.

Note that it is necessary to have two different subjects in the sentence; otherwise, the infinitive or the indicative is used.

Study the following examples:

Nous préférons qu’ils viennent nous voir chez nous.
We prefer that they come to see us at our place.

Nous and ils are two different subjects. In this case, we use the subjunctive.

Nous préférons venir chez vous.
We prefer to come to your house.

Here we note that the subject of “préférer” and “venir” is the same. That’s why we used the infinitive.

Here is the list of the verbs used with the subjunctive:

aimer que approuver que attendre que avoir envie que comprendre que craindre que défendre que demander que

déplorer que désirer que douter que s’étonner que exiger que falloir que importer que interdire que permettre que préférer que

prendre garde que refuser que regretter que souhaiter que tenir à ce que à veiller à ce que vouloir que

Let’s study some of the verbs above.

Aimer

J’aime que mes enfants aillent dormir tôt.
I like (that) my kids go to bed early.

The verb aimer means to love or to like. In the sentence above, it expresses a wish. That’s why we used the subjunctive.

Le PDG demande que ses employés soient toujours présents aux grandes réunions.
The CEO asks that his employees be always present in important meetings.

The verb demander means to ask. In the sentence above, it expresses obligation. That’s why the subjunctive has been used.

Craindre

Je crains qu’il ne fasse mauvais demain.
I’m afraid the weather will be bad tomorrow.

The verb craindre means to be afraid. In the sentence above, it expresses fear. That’s why the subjunctive has been used. Note that in the case of “craindre,” the ne explétif is used. Don’t confuse it with the negative “ne”.

Exiger

Il exige que ses parents soient prévenus.
He demands that his parents be informed.

The verb exiger means to demand or to require. In the sentence above, it expresses obligation. That’s why the subjunctive has been used.

Remember: We don’t use the subjunctive with the following verbs: admettre, avouer, espérer, croire que, penser, reconnaitre.

For example:

J’espère que tu pourras venir nous voir.
I hope you will come to see us.

or

Je crois qu’il est fou.
I think he is crazy.

Note that in the negative, these verbs will most of the time take the subjunctive. We’ll see that in detail in another lesson.

For example:

Je ne crois pas qu’il ait assez d’argent pour acheter cette voiture.
I don’t think he has enough money to buy this house.

Note also that when espérer and admettre are used in the imperative of the first person plural, the verb that follows is always in the subjunctive.

For example:

Espérons qu’ils soient à la maison.
Let’s hope they are home.