The French subjunctive can feel mysterious, but it’s not magic—it’s a mood that shows subjectivity: wishes, emotions, doubts, and necessities. In this lesson, you’ll learn when to use it, how to form it (including must‑know irregulars), and how French speakers use it in everyday situations. We’ll make it practical with clear examples and quick exercises.

What the subjunctive is (and isn’t)

The subjunctive is a mood, not a tense. You’ll usually see it in a subordinate clause introduced by que, when the main clause expresses something subjective.

Formula: Main clause (subjective) + que + different subject + subjunctive.

If there’s no change of subject, French often uses an infinitive, not the subjunctive.

Forming the present subjunctive

For most verbs: take the 3rd‑person plural (ils/elles) form of the present indicative, drop -ent, then add subjunctive endings.

Endings: -e, -es, -e, -ions, -iez, -ent.

Examples:

• parler → ils parlent → que je parle, que tu parles, qu’il/elle parle, que nous parlions, que vous parliez, qu’ils/elles parlent
• finir → ils finissent → que je finisse…
• prendre → ils prennent → que je prenne, que nous prenions (note the double n in singular/plural shift)

Irregular but common:

• être → que je sois, que tu sois, qu’il/elle soit, que nous soyons, que vous soyez, qu’ils/elles soient
• avoir → que j’aie, que tu aies, qu’il/elle ait, que nous ayons, que vous ayez, qu’ils/elles aient
• aller → que j’aille, que nous allions
• faire → que je fasse, que nous fassions
• pouvoir → que je puisse, que nous puissions
• savoir → que je sache, que nous sachions
• vouloir → que je veuille, que nous voulions
• venir → que je vienne, que nous venions

Il faut que tu à 9 h.

Je doute qu’il prêt.

Avant que nous , vérifie les billets.

Conjunctions that call for the subjunctive

These are everyday links that almost always bring the subjunctive in the clause after que:

• bien que / quoique (although)
• pour que / afin que (so that)
• avant que (before)
• à moins que (unless)
• jusqu’à ce que (until)
• sans que (without)
• pourvu que (provided that)

Note: après que normally takes the indicative, not the subjunctive.

Subjunctive vs. indicative: key contrasts

French uses the indicative for facts, beliefs, and clear statements. The subjunctive expresses what’s desired, doubted, felt, or judged.

• Je crois qu’il vient. (belief → indicative)
• Je ne crois pas qu’il vienne. (negation of belief → often subjunctive)
• Penses‑tu qu’il soit prêt ? (questioning the belief → often subjunctive)
• J’espère qu’il vient. (espérer → usually indicative in the affirmative)

Superlatives add nuance:

• C’est la seule personne qui puisse nous aider. (subjective uniqueness → subjunctive)

Be careful after après que:

• Après que tu es parti, on a commencé. (indicative, not subjunctive)

Try noticing the “feeling vs. fact” boundary: if the main clause is a personal judgment rather than a report of reality, the subjunctive often follows.

Il faut que tu es prêt. → Il faut que tu sois prêt. Use the subjunctive after il faut que. Je pense qu’il soit malade. → Je pense qu’il est malade. With pensée/certitude, use the indicative (unless negated or strongly doubtful). Après que tu sois arrivé, on a mangé. → Après que tu es arrivé, on a mangé. Après que takes the indicative in standard French.

Cultural and usage notes

Politeness and softening: In meetings or emails, French speakers soften directives with expressions like Il faudrait que… or Il est important que…, followed by the subjunctive. It sounds less abrupt than an imperative.

Register choices: Bien que and quoique are close; quoique can feel slightly more formal/literary. Pourvu que is idiomatic and often expresses hope.

Regional and stylistic variation: In informal speech, you’ll still hear the subjunctive. However, some speakers avoid highly formal triggers or the ne explétif in casual contexts.

Listening tip: In fast speech, the subjunctive endings may be subtle (que tu viennes vs. tu viens). Rely on the trigger and the change of subject to anticipate the mood.

Writing tip: In emails, the subjunctive after il est nécessaire/important que is expected. Keep an eye on après que (indicative!).

Quick practice roundup

Try these out loud to build automaticity.

• Volition: Je préfère que vous arriviez tôt.
• Emotion: Je suis ravi que tu viennes.
• Doubt: Il est possible qu’ils n’aient pas le temps.
• Necessity: Il faut que nous finissions aujourd’hui.
• Conjunction: À moins qu’il ne pleuve, on fera un pique‑nique.
• Superlative: C’est la meilleure solution que je connaisse.

You’ve got the core triggers, the formation rules, and the key contrasts with the indicative. Keep listening for que after subjective expressions, and your subjunctive will start to feel natural.