How to form the subjunctive in French

The subjunctive is the most complex mood in any language. However, there are easy ways to make your French learning more simple. Here, we study “regular” verbs, the ones that follow a certain pattern.

You'll also see why we need the subjunctive and which concept it translates. (notice I say "concept.")

The French subjunctive: start with the present tense...

So, how do you conjugate the subjunctive in French? As long as you follow the formula, it should be simple.

First, you need to know the present tense since we will use it as our starting point. Indeed, you start by conjugating the present tense of our verb but only with the last subject: “ils / elles” (they in English). Let’s play with some examples:

• regarder: ils regardent  >>> They watch.
• boire: ils boivent  >>> They drink.
• manger: ils mangent  >>> They eat.
• connaître: ils connaissent  >>> They know.

The French subjunctive: remove the subject and the ending.

Once, you have your verb, the next step is to remove not only the subject but also the end. As a result, you will obtain the “pure” root of your subjunctive. With our examples, we have:

• regarder >>>  regard 
• boire >>>  boiv  
• manger >>> mang  
• connaître >>>  connaiss 

What are the endings for the French subjunctive ?

Finally, we add the corresponding endings of the subjunctive. These are:

• je / j          _______________ e
• tu             _______________ es
• il / elle       _______________ e 
• nous         _______________ ions
• vous          _______________ iez

• ils / elles   _______________ ent

Let’s see what happens with the verb “regarder” (to watch). Note that with the subjunctive, there’s always the word “que” or “qu’” before.

•  (que) je regarde
•  (que) tu regardes
•  (qu’) il / elle regarde
•  (que) nous regardions
•  (que) vous regardiez
•  (qu’) ils / elles regardent

And oui! Except for the “que” or “qu’” before the subject and the extra “i” with “nous” and “vous”, it’s exactky like the present tense.

How do you conjugate the French subjunctive ?

Good news ! You apply the same formula for the other verbs. Let’s do it with “finir” (finish) which belongs to the second group.

FINIR >>> ils finissent >>> fin + endings

•  (que) je finisse
•  (que) tu finisses
•  (qu’) il / elle finisse
•  (que) nous finissions
•  (que) vous finissiez
•  (qu’) ils / elles finissent

What about verbs from the third or irregular group ? Some tend to be “regular” like verbs ending with “ RE”. Let’s take the example of “vendre” (sell)

VENDRE >>> ils vendent >>> vend + endings

•  (que) je vende
•  (que) tu vendes
•  (qu’) il / elle vende
•  (que) nous vendons
•  (que) vous vendez
•  (qu’) ils / elles vendent

Why do we use the subjunctive?

At this stage, you should have a better idea of how to conjugate verbs for the subjunctive. But, do you know why we use it in the first place?

Oui, you conjugate it but the idea is about probability. Indeed, when you want to express uncertainty or doubt, you should pick the subjunctive. In English, you may think about “might”. In French, the subjunctive is one way to translate the concept.

By the way, it is a trigger for the subjunctive. And if you don’t have a clue about triggers, there’s a whole blog post about the topic.

 You can translate “might” with the impersonal pattern of “il se peut”.

Examples allow us to memorise structures. Let’s say you want to translate “I might watch a film tonight” in French. Now, you know the subjunctive is required.

• Il se peut que je regarde un film ce soir >>> I might watch a film tonight.

How to express the probability with the subjunctive.

Let’s have another example with the regular verb “regarder” (watch):

• Il se peut que je mange au restaurant ce soir >>> I might eat at the restaurant tonight.

The French subjunctive with IR verbs.

With verbs of the second group, we just do the same:

• Il se peut que je finisse mon travail maintenant >>> I might finish my work now.

Another example with “choisir” (choose):

• Il se peut que je choisisse une barrique >>> I might choose a barrel.

The French subjunctive with RE verbs.

With irregular verbs, it can be tricky but as long as you master the French tense, it shouldn’t be a problem. Apart from the idea of uncertainty, the subjunctive also expresses the obligation like here:

• Il faut que je peigne la barrique >>> I have to paint the barrel.

The French subjunctive with irregular IR verbs.

Some verbs look like the second group because they end with “ir”- However, they belong to the irregular third one. No worries: the formula is the same:

• Il faut que je sorte à huit heures pour la réunion >>> I have to leave at 8 for the meeting.

Now, if you want to avoid the subjunctive when it means obligation with the verb “devoir” (must). But, be sure to put the infinitive after conjugating “devoir”:

•  je dois
•  tu dois
•  il / elle doit
•  nous devons
•  vous devez
•  ils / elles doivent

 With our previous example:

• Je dois sortir à huit heures pour la réunion >>> I must leave at 8 for the meeting.

How to form the subjunctive with any “regular” verbs. 

To sum up, the formula is the same for any verb. As long as you know the present tense perfectly, it shouldn't be a problem. Then, with the root of your verb you need to memorise the endings of the subjunctive: e, es, e, ions, iez, ent.

Finally, the subjunctive allows you to express uncertainty and obligation.

So, how do you feel about using the subjunctive in French? Feel free to read all the other posts about the same topic on the website.