How to express obligation and necessity with IL FAUT QUE

When it comes to expressing necessity and obligation in French, French students struggle to find the right formula…Indeed, there are some nuances, just like in English.

Do you know how to express necessity and obligation when it comes from you or from others?

Let’s take a peek and focus on “il faut que”.

What is the meaning of "Il faut"?

First, the French structure “il faut” is tricky. Why?

Because it is an impersonal pattern. In other words, no one is doing the action. It is the equivalent of the English “it”.

However, in French, we don’t really have an impersonal pronoun, apart from “c’est” that we use in specific cases. 

If you want to dive into this subject, be sure to read this post.

The expression “il faut” can express necessity or obligation. Let 's look a little further"

If you have only the structure “il faut”, you are talking about necessity. For instance, in a recipe, it is pretty common to read “il faut” before the list of the ingredients.

In that case it means: “you need”.

But, if the pattern is “il faut que”, everything changes … This time you are expressing obligation even if the translation in English is “It is necessary that”.

Therefore, check carefully if you have “que” or not.

What tense do you use with "Il faut que"?

 At this stage, you know when we talk about necessity and when we are expressing obligation.

Another big difference: the use of the subjunctive. Indeed, after “il faut que” it is required to conjugate your verb with the subjunctive mode.

As you know, the subjunctive is probably the hardest to conjugate in French (and in any language really).

As a reminder, for regular verbs, first, conjugate your verb using the present and the pronoun “ils” or “elles” and remove “ent”.

• dire (to say)   >>>> ils / elles disent >>> dis (root)

As far as the ending is concerned, add the following ending and don’t forget “que” before the subject.

• que je  >>> e
• que tu  >>> es
• qu’il / elle / on >>> e
• que nous >>> ions
• que vous >>> iez
• qu’ils / elles >>> ent 

With our previous example, conjugating “dire” with the subjunctive, we have:

• que je dise
• que tu dises
• qu’il / elle / on dise
• que nous disions
• que vous disiez
• qu’ils / elles disent

Of course, French has many irregular verbs that you will have to memorize. Stick only with the most important ones: “être”, “avoir”, “vouloir”, “faire”, “aller”...

Necessity or obligation in French

As we have mentioned before, necessity and obligation can be complicated to tell apart since it depends on what you're actually trying to say …

Indeed, are you talking about something that is important for you but not an obligation?

 Let’s briefly look at some concrete examples and explain the meaning behind each one:

• “I’ve got to go now”

•  “I have to go now”

• “I need to go now”

Can you spot the one expressing obligation? Necessity? Something between?

• “I’ve got to go now”  >>> neutral: it’s not a real necessity or obligation.

•  “I have to go now”   >>> obligation: it’s an obvious obligation.

• “I need to go now”   >>> necessity: no one is obliging you to go but it’s your choice.

What’s the difference between PARTIR and ALLER?

In this section, let’s take the time to explain the difference between ALLER and PARTIR in order to continue with our previous examples.

The literal translation is ALLER (to go) and PARTIR (to leave).

For both languages, the idea implies movement. On one hand, English focuses on the fact that you go to another place, on the other hand, French prefers to insist on the fact that you leave a place…to go to another one!

In other words, the idea remains the same but the verbs to express it are different.

Can you spot the nuances of necessity and obligation in the following examples in French?

• Il faut que je parte
• Je dois partir 
• Il est nécessaire de partir
• Il faut partir
• J’ai besoin de partir 

If you find yourself in a minefield of nuances, it's normal!  But don't panic  . . . 

Let’s explain them in detail:

• Il faut que je parte >>>  I’ve got to go
• Je dois partir >>> I must go. 
• Il est nécessaire de partir >>> It is necessary for me to go.
• Il faut partir >>> I have to go.
• J’ai besoin de partir >>> I need to go. 

Infinitive or not?

In this section, you are going to see 2 ways to express the obligation or “high” necessity to do something.

Not only is the structure different but the meaning varies as well.

• Il faut que je parte >>>  I‘ve got to go.
• Il faut partir >>> I have to go.

In the first example, you can see the subjunctive and the pronoun “je”. Here, the necessity or obligation is only for you. You are the one who feels that you have to go but no one is telling you so.

However, in the second example, 2 things change. First, you have an infinitive (partir) with no subject. Then, the meaning is that everyone has to go. It’s more general and external.

In a nutshell, when you want to give some orders, use the infinitive when it’s for everybody and if you wish to be specific, incorporate a subject and conjugate the verb with the subjunctive.

How do you express obligation in French?

Again, depending on the context, pick the right option. Ask yourself:

• Do I feel that way inside or others are making me feel it?
• Is it a general order or is it for someone in particular?
• Do I feel it more like a necessity or order?

Which tense do you use with IL FAUT QUE?

You know the subjunctive is compulsory if you have decided to go for the specific order or need. The basic structure is:  

1) impersonal subject “il”  +  2) the impersonal verb “faut” + 3) “que” + 4) a subject + 5) a subjunctive.

As we have seen earlier, “que” with “il faut que” always triggers the subjunctive.

Oui, the subjunctive is complex but not impossible. How can you memorise it more easily?

Use your own examples and practise as much as you can.

So, do you feel more like “il faut que j’étudie” or “ J’ai besoin de l’étudier”?

If you can, never feel the obligation to study French but the motivation and the need to practise it a little every day!