Managing irregular verbs for the subjunctive

Studying the subjunctive in French or any language is always delicate. However, they are essential because we use it a lot in French. Therefore, if you decide to learn it, it will be easier to understand French people when they talk. Besides, I have already given you the secret formula for regular verbs here: How to form the subjunctive. 

Let's look at the most important irregular verbs you need to know. Ready?

How do you conjugate the subjunctive?

As you can guess, there are always irregular verbs to make our lives more exciting! My advice is to master the regular ones first then, tackle the irregular verbs. Remember: you don’t have to learn all the irregular ones but only the most important to you.

Of course, you can expand your list of French subjunctives with time, but here, you will focus on the verbs we use more often...

As a reminder, regular subjunctives in French follow this formula:

The word “que”  + stem of your verb at the present tense with the pronoun “ils” or “elles” + endings of the subjunctive (e, es, e, ions, iez, ent)

What are the irregular verbs of the subjunctive?

I am almost sure you already have an idea of the irregular verbs. Whether it’s the present tense or the subjunctive, these irregular verbs always cause obstacles but are used so much in everyday conversations.

Note, though, how irregular French verbs tend to be the ones that are used all the time:

• faire (to do / make)
• être (to be)
• avoir (to have)
• pouvoir (to be able to)
• devoir (to have to)
• aller (to go)
• savoir (to know (how))
• boire (to drink)
• prendre (to take)
• voir (to see)
• vouloir (to wish / want)
• venir (to come)

Let's see how to conjugate them:

The stems of the most important irregular verbs for the subjunctive.

Just like regular subjunctives, as long as you know the stem, the rest is easy peasy. In other words, if you know the stems, simply add the corresponding endings. When we say they are irregular, they are in the sense we don’t use the present tense with the subject of “they” but a completely different stem. Thankfully, the endings remain the same.

Note that for some verbs, you will notice a different stem with the pronouns “nous” and “vous”. (They always tend to partner up in this change.) In addition, for a few verbs, the ending for “il” and “elle” is with “t” and not the regular “e”. So, let’s take our previous verbs with their stem for the subjunctive:

• faire >>> fass…
• être >>> soi (y)…
• avoir >>> ai
• pouvoir >>> puiss…
• devoir >>> doiv…
• aller >>> aill…
• savoir >>> sach…
• boire >>> boiv…
• prendre >>> prenn…
• voir >>> voi (y) …
• vouloir >>> veuill…
• venir >>> vienn…

The ultimate guide of the French irregular subjunctives

At this stage, you know what the most important irregular verbs are and their stem. Simply add the endings like the verb “prendre”:

•  (que) je prenne
•  (que) tu prennes
•  (qu’) il / elle prenne
•  (que) nous prenions
•  (que) vous preniez
•  (qu’) ils / elles prennent

As you can see, there’s one “n” in the “nous” and “vous” form.

Now, let’s play with 2 verbs with a different ending with “il” and “elle” like “avoir” and “être”.

•  (que) j’aie
•  (que) tu aies
•  (qu’) il / elle ait
•  (que) nous ayons
•  (que) vous ayez
•  (qu’) ils / elles aient

Now, with “être”:

•  (que) je sois
•  (que) tu sois
•  (qu’) il / elle soit
•  (que) nous soyons
•  (que) vous soyez
•  (qu’) ils / elles soient

Other tricky verbs are “boire”, “devoir”, “aller”, “voir” and “vouloir” with 2 different stems. You can check them in the graphic below.

Tips to memorise the subjunctive in French.

If you look at the chart above, you may feel overwhelmed or discouraged. Don’t be! As I have already said, there’s no need to learn all of them. Simply pick the ones you need and practice with them as much as possible. They have to resonate with you. Then, little by little you can change some elements and memorise new ones.

The idea is to learn and enjoy practising without feeling burned out or frustrated.

 Let’s practise with some examples.

Whenever we mean “might” in French, it’s wise to use the impersonal translation of “il se peut que” that triggers the subjunctive.

• I might go to bed >>> il se peut que j’aille au lit.

• She might be hungry >>> il se peut qu’elle ait faim.

• It might rain >>> il se peut qu’il pleuve.

We also use the subjunctive to give orders with the impersonal pattern “il faut que“ . . . you got it - that's a subjunctive trigger too:

• You’ve got to drink water >>> il faut que tu boives de l’eau.

Why we use the subjunctive so much in French

Like we have just said, the subjunctive is required to express uncertainty and obligation. Oui, you can avoid it with the verb “devoir” for instance or other “tricks” but French people utilise it every day. That’s why it’s in your best interest to start learning them little by little. In no time, it will be natural for you…

How to use the subjunctive with irregular verbs

To summarise, irregular verbs follow a certain formula with a specific stem and its corresponding endings for the subjunctive. Some verbs have 2 stems like “boire” and “aller” and some verbs have a different ending for the pronoun “il” and “elle” like “avoir” and “être”.

As long as you know the stems and this unusual ending, you are capable of playing with the irregular verbs.

So, tell me, which irregular verbs do you need some more practise with?