Le Subjonctif: Vue d'Ensemble (Overview)

Learning ObjectivesIdentify situations that require using the present subjunctive.Recognize the verbs and expressions that trigger the subjunctive.Tell the difference between using the indicative and the subjunctive moods.Apply the basic rules of the subjunctive to form sentences.Imagine your friend asks you for advice on a school project. You don't say: "Tu fais tes recherches" (You do your research) [too feh tay ruh-SHERSH] (which is a fact). Instead, you might say: "Il faut que tu fasses tes recherches" (It is necessary that you do your research) [eel foh kuh too FASS tay ruh-SHERSH] (which is a necessity or suggestion). That's the subjunctive! It's the special mood we use for opinions, feelings, and uncertainty. 🤔💭Real-World ApplicationsExpressing wishes for someone's birthday.Giving...

French TermWhat it MeansExample in a Sentencevouloir que (to want that) [voo-LWAR kuh]Used to express a want or a desire.Je veux que tu viennes à ma fête (I want you to come to my party) [zhuh vuh kuh too VYEN ah ma fet]. 🎉il faut que (it is necessary that) [eel foh kuh]Used to express a necessity or an obligation.Il faut que nous partions maintenant (We must leave now) [eel foh kuh noo par-TYOHN mant-nahn].douter que (to doubt that) [doo-TAY kuh]Used to express doubt or uncertainty.Je doute qu'il pleuve demain (I doubt that it will rain tomorrow) [zhuh doot keel PLUHV duh-man]. 🌦️être content(e) que (to be happy that) [ET-ruh kohn-TAHN(T) kuh]Used to express an emotion (happiness).Ma mère est contente que je réussisse mon examen (My mother is happy that I am passing my exam) [ma mehr eh...

When to Use the SubjunctiveThe subjunctive is usually used in the second part of a sentence (a clause) that starts with `que` (that) [kuh] or `qu'` (that) [k]. The verb in the first part of the sentence determines if the verb in the second part needs to be in the subjunctive. Here are the main situations:Rule 1: Wants, Desires, and CommandsUse the subjunctive after verbs that express a want, wish, command, request, suggestion, or prohibition.Examples: vouloir que (to want that) [voo-LWAR kuh], désirer que (to desire that) [day-zee-RAY kuh], exiger que (to demand that) [eg-zee-ZHAY kuh], ordonner que (to order that) [or-doh-NAY kuh], suggérer que (to suggest that) [soog-zhay-RAY kuh], interdire que (to forbid that) [an-tehr-DEER kuh].Sentence: Le professeur exige que les étudiants fassent l...