2025.08.30 2025.09.05

French Present Subjunctive (subjonctif présent) | Basic Conjugation Rules

Izumi

The French present subjunctive is a verb form used to express the speaker’s subjectivity, emotions, wishes, or uncertain situations.

It frequently appears in both spoken and written French, but because its conjugations and usage differ from the indicative mood, learners often find it confusing.

In this lesson, I will explain the basic meaning, conjugation patterns, and common contexts where the present subjunctive is used.

Contents

1. The Basics of the Present Subjunctive
2. Formation of the Present Subjunctive (Regular Verbs)
3. Irregular Verbs in the Present Subjunctive
4. Common Contexts for the Present Subjunctive
5. Summary

1. The Basics of the Present Subjunctive

1-1. Verb Moods and the Subjunctive

In French, verbs are categorized into moods (modes). The indicative is used to state facts or objective reality, while the subjunctive is used to express subjective judgments, emotions, wishes, or uncertainty.

Indicative: expresses facts, reality, certainty
Subjunctive: expresses emotions, wishes, doubt, or uncertainty

1-2. The “que” Clause as the Subjunctive Context

The subjunctive almost always appears in a subordinate clause introduced by que. When the main clause expresses emotion, will, judgment, or uncertainty, the verb in the subordinate clause must be in the subjunctive.

Je veux que tu viennes.
(I want you to come.)
Il est nécessaire que nous finissions ce travail.
(It is necessary that we finish this work.)

The structure is typically: Main clause + que + subject + verb (in the subjunctive).

1-3. Same Subject → Use Infinitive

If the subject of the main clause and the subordinate clause is the same, the infinitive is generally used instead of the subjunctive.

Je veux partir. (I want to leave.)
Je veux que je parte.
→ unnatural, same subject in both clauses.

2. Formation of the Present Subjunctive (Regular Verbs)

Let’s take a first-group verb (-er verbs) as an example.

Take the 3rd person plural (ils/elles) form of the present indicative.
Remove the ending -ent to form the stem.
Add the subjunctive endings.

Conjugation of parler (to speak):

Person	Ending	Example
que je	-e	que je parle
que tu	-es	que tu parles
qu’il / qu’elle / qu’on	-e	qu’il parle
que nous	-ions	que nous parlions
que vous	-iez	que vous parliez
qu’ils / qu’elles	-ent	qu’ils parlent

3. Irregular Verbs in the Present Subjunctive

Some common verbs have irregular forms in the subjunctive. The most frequent ones are être, avoir, aller.

être (to be)

Person	Form
que je	sois
que tu	sois
qu’il/elle/on	soit
que nous	soyons
que vous	soyez
qu’ils/elles	soient

avoir (to have)

Person	Form
que je	aie
que tu	aies
qu’il	ait
que nous	ayons
que vous	ayez
qu’ils	aient

aller (to go)

Person	Form
que je	aille
que tu	ailles
qu’il	aille
que nous	allions
que vous	alliez
qu’ils	aillent

4. Common Contexts for the Present Subjunctive

4-1. Expressing Emotions or Feelings

Je suis heureux que tu viennes.
(I am happy that you are coming.)

4-2. Expressing Necessity or Obligation

Il faut que nous finissions ce travail aujourd’hui.
(We must finish this work today.)

4-3. Expressing Wishes or Desires

Je veux que tu fasses tes devoirs.
(I want you to do your homework.)

4-4. Expressing Doubt or Uncertainty

Je doute qu’il soit là.
(I doubt that he is there.)
Penses-tu qu’elle ait raison ?
(Do you think she is right?)

4-5. After Certain Conjunctions

Bien que (although):
Bien qu’il fasse froid, nous sortons.
(Although it is cold, we are going out.)
Pour que (so that):
Je te l’explique pour que tu comprennes.
(I explain it so that you understand.)
Avant que (before):
Pars avant qu’il ne pleuve.
(Leave before it rains.)

5. Summary

The present subjunctive is used after expressions of emotion, necessity, wishes, doubt, and certain conjunctions.
To form it: take the 3rd person plural of the present indicative → remove -ent → add subjunctive endings.
Irregular verbs (être, avoir, aller) must be memorized.
When the subject of both clauses is the same, use the infinitive instead of the subjunctive.
Focus first on common everyday expressions (Il faut que, Je veux que, Je suis content que) to become familiar with usage.

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