Using the Subjunctive
French: Cambridge International GCSE, topic 7.3.5
Using the Subjunctive
In French, you need to use the subjunctive after phrases that show desire, doubt, emotions and some conjunctions.
Expressing desire
- When a phrase is expressing someone's desire or will, in French you need to use the subjunctive.
- Here are some common phrases:
- Aimer mieux que - to prefer that.
- Demander que - to ask that.
- Il est important que - it is important that.
- Il est nécessaire que - it is necessary that.
- Il est essentiel que - it is essential that.
- Il faut que - it is necessary that.
- Vouloir que - to want to.
Expressing emotions and feelings
- Verbs that express emotions or feelings need the subjunctive.
- Here are a few examples of set phrases:
- Avoir peur que - to be scared that.
- Aimer que - to like that.
- Adorer que - to love that.
- Il est bon que - it is good that.
- Il est triste que - it is sad that.
- Il est heureux que - it is fortunate that.
Expressing doubt
- Verbs that express doubt and opinion need to use the subjunctive.
- Douter que - to doubt that.
- Ne penser pas que - to not think that.
- Il est impossible que - it is impossible that.
- Il semble que - it seems that.
- Il n'est pas clair que - it is not clear that.
- Il n'est pas évident que - it is not evident that.
Conjunctions
- Some phrases in French that use conjunctions need to use the subjunctive.
- À moins que - unless.
- Afin que - so that.
- Bien que - although.
- Pour que - so that.
- Encore que - even though.