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 acquérir, battre, conduire and courir.
The following verbs conjugate into the present subjunctive like acquérir: enquérir, conquérir, reconquérir, requérir.
Conjugation of the verb acquérir into the present subjunctive:
For example:
Il est fort possible que la compagnie requière la carte de résidence avant de recruter ses employés.
It is very likely that the company requires the residence card before they recruit their employees.
The following verbs conjugate into the present subjunctive like battre: abattre, combattre, débattre, rabattre, etc...
Conjugation of the verb battre into the present subjunctive:
For example:
Je souhaite qu’il se batte comme s’est battu son père pour sa liberté.
I wish he would fight like his father fought for his freedom.
The following verbs conjugate into the present subjunctive like conduire: cuire, déduire, détruire, enduire, induire, introduire, nuire, produire, reconduire, réduire, réintroduire, reproduire, séduire, traduire etc...
Conjugation of the verb conduire:
Il faut que nous traduisions ce livre le plus tôt possible.
We must translate this book the soonest possible.
The following verbs conjugate like courir: accourir, concourir, encourir, parcourir, recourir, ouvrir, servir, sortir, dormir, endormir, etc...
Conjugation of the verb courir:
For example:
Il faut le prévenir maintenant avant qu’il ne serve de bouc émissaire pour ces gens. Ils n’attendent que ça !
You have to warn him now before they use him as a scapegoat. That’s what they’re waiting for!
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 acquérir, battre, conduire and courir.
Verbs conjugating like acquérir
The following verbs conjugate into the present subjunctive like acquérir: enquérir, conquérir, reconquérir, requérir.
Conjugation of the verb acquérir into the present subjunctive:
| que j’acquière que tu acquières qu’il/elle/on acquière que nous acquérions que vous acquériez qu’ils/elles acquièrent |
For example:
Il est fort possible que la compagnie requière la carte de résidence avant de recruter ses employés.
It is very likely that the company requires the residence card before they recruit their employees.
Verbs conjugating like battre
The following verbs conjugate into the present subjunctive like battre: abattre, combattre, débattre, rabattre, etc...
Conjugation of the verb battre into the present subjunctive:
| que je batte que tu battes qu’il/elle/on batte que nous battions que vous battiez qu’ils/elles battent |
For example:
Je souhaite qu’il se batte comme s’est battu son père pour sa liberté.
I wish he would fight like his father fought for his freedom.
Verbs conjugating like conduire
The following verbs conjugate into the present subjunctive like conduire: cuire, déduire, détruire, enduire, induire, introduire, nuire, produire, reconduire, réduire, réintroduire, reproduire, séduire, traduire etc...
Conjugation of the verb conduire:
| que je conduise que tu conduises qu’il/elle/on conduise que nous conduisions que vous conduisiez qu’ils/elles conduisent |
Il faut que nous traduisions ce livre le plus tôt possible.
We must translate this book the soonest possible.
Verbs conjugating like courir
The following verbs conjugate like courir: accourir, concourir, encourir, parcourir, recourir, ouvrir, servir, sortir, dormir, endormir, etc...
Conjugation of the verb courir:
| que je coure que tu coures qu’il/elle/on coure que nous courions que vous couriez qu’ils/elles courent |
For example:
Il faut le prévenir maintenant avant qu’il ne serve de bouc émissaire pour ces gens. Ils n’attendent que ça !
You have to warn him now before they use him as a scapegoat. That’s what they’re waiting for!