Present Tense Subjunctive of Regular Verbs
In this lesson we learn how to create the present tense of the subjunctive mood for regular verbs.
How is the present tense subjunctive of regular -er, -ir and -re verbs formed?
The present tense subjunctive mood of regular verbs is formed by adding the following endings to the verb stem (the verb form created when you remove the -er, -ir or -re):
| Person | Ending |
|---|---|
| je | -e |
| tu | -es |
| il | -e |
| elle | -e |
| nous | -ions |
| vous | -iez |
| ils | -ent |
| elles | -ent |
How is the French present tense subjunctive mood of regular -er verbs, e.g. jouer (‘to play’) formed?
| French | English |
|---|---|
| jouer (stem: jou-) | to play |
| que je joue * | that I may play |
| que tu joues | that you may play |
| qu’il joue | that he may play |
| qu’elle joue | that she may play |
| que nous jouions ** | that we may play |
| que vous jouiez | that you may play |
| qu’ils jouent | that they may play |
| qu’elles jouent | that they may play |
Note
For example:
* The je, tu, il, elle, ils and elles forms of the subjunctive are the same as the present tense (indicative) for -er verbs.
** The nous and the vous forms are exactly the same as the imperfect tense.
How is the French present tense subjunctive mood of regular -ir verbs, e.g. finir (‘to finish’) formed?
These are easier forms to spot in the subjunctive mood as -ir verbs add -iss- between the stem and the ending, as follows:
| French | English |
|---|---|
| finir (stem: fin-) | to finish |
| que je finisse | that I may finish |
| que tu finisses | that you may finish |
| qu’il finisse | that he may finish |
| qu’elle finisse | that she may finish |
| que nous finissions * | that we may finish |
| que vous finissiez | that you may finish |
| qu’ils finissent | that they may finish |
| qu’elles finissent | that they may finish |
Note
How is the French present tense subjunctive mood of regular -re verbs, e.g. vendre (‘to sell’) formed?
| French | English |
|---|---|
| vendre (stem: vend-) | to sell |
| que je vende | that I may sell |
| que tu vendes | that you may sell |
| qu’il vende | that he may sell |
| qu’elle vende | that she may sell |
| que nous vendions * | that we may sell |
| que vous vendiez | that you may sell |
| qu’ils vendent ** | that they may sell |
| qu’elles vendent | that they may sell |
Note
** The ils and elles forms are the same as the present tense (indicative).
When is the subjunctive used in French?
We saw in the examples from the previous lesson that the subjunctive is frequently used after verbs that express uncertainty, doubt, wishes, desires or fears.
There are many instances when the subjunctive must be used and two main circumstances when you should think about whether the subjunctive mood is going to apply. Here is a short summary:
1. After impersonal expressions that express uncertainty
| French | English |
|---|---|
| Il est dommage que… | It’s a shame that… |
| Il est important que… | It’s important that… |
| Il est impossible que… | It’s impossible that… |
| Il est improbable que… | It’s unlikely that… |
| Il est nécessaire que… | It is necessary that… |
| Il est peu probable que… | It’s not very likely that… |
| Il est possible que… | It’s possible that… |
| Il est temps que… | It is time that… |
| Il n’est pas clair que… | It is not clear that… |
| Il n’est pas évident que… | It is not evident that… |
| Il n’est pas sûr que… | It is not certain that…, one cannot be certain that… |
| Il faut que… | It’s necessary that…, one must… |
| Il vaut mieux que… | It’s better that… |
| Serait-il possible que…? | Would it be possible that…? |
| Serait-il probable que…? | Would it be likely that…? |
2. After certain conjunctions (joining expressions)
| French | English |
|---|---|
| afin que | so that |
| bien que | although |
| jusqu’à ce que | until |
| malgré que | despite |
| pour que | so that |
| pourvu que | provided that |
| quoique | although |
| sans que | without |
These lists are not exhaustive, so each time you use ‘que,’ you should consider whether you need to switch to the subjunctive!