The French Subjunctive
When You MUST Use It (And When You Don't) - Complete Guide + Generator
Mastering the Subjunctive Mood (Le Subjonctif)
The French subjunctive mood (le subjonctif) is not a tense, but a **mood**—it reflects the speaker's attitude toward an action: uncertainty, desire, emotion, or necessity.
The most important rule is that the subjunctive is almost always introduced by the phrase **que** (that).
The Golden Rule: W.E.I.R.D.O.
Most French teachers use the acronym **W.E.I.R.D.O.** to remember the main categories that require the subjunctive mood:
W: Wishes, Will, or Want
Verbs expressing desire, command, necessity, or preference.
- *Je veux **que** tu **viennes**.* (I want you to come.)
- *Il faut **que** nous **finissions**.* (It is necessary that we finish.)
E: Emotions or Feelings
Verbs expressing joy, sadness, fear, regret, or surprise.
- *Je suis content **que** vous **soyez** là.* (I am happy that you are here.)
- *Je regrette **qu'**il **parte**.* (I regret that he is leaving.)
I: Impersonal Expressions
Phrases starting with *il est/il faut/il vaut mieux* that express necessity, judgment, or possibility.
- *Il est important **que** tu le **saches**.* (It is important that you know it.)
- *Il est possible **qu'**elle **vienne**.* (It is possible that she comes.)
R: Requests or Recommendations
Verbs expressing asking, advising, or recommending.
- *Je propose **qu'**il **déjeune**.* (I suggest that he eat lunch.)
D: Doubt, Denial, or Disbelief
Verbs that express uncertainty, especially in the negative form.
- *Je doute **qu'**elle **dise** la vérité.* (I doubt that she is telling the truth.)
- *Je ne pense pas **qu'il soit** là.* (I don't think he is here.)
O: Relative Clauses (Rare/Other)
Certain conjunctions (like *avant que* - before) and superlative phrases (*le seul que* - the only one that).
- *Il est le meilleur chef **que** je **connaisse**.* (He is the best chef that I know.)
🛑 Warning: Indicative False Friends (NO Subjunctive)
If the phrase expresses **certainty, belief, or is simply stating a fact**, you must use the **Indicative mood** (the normal tenses). Common indicative triggers:
- **Je crois que...** (I believe that...)
- **Je pense que...** (I think that...)
- **J'espère que...** (I hope that...)
- **Il est certain que...** (It is certain that...)
Exception: Use the Subjunctive when these "certainty" verbs are in the **negative or interrogative** form (e.g., *Je ne crois pas que...*).
Quick Reference Table: Top Subjunctive Triggers
| French Trigger Phrase | Subjunctive Required? | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Il faut que | ✅ Yes (Necessity) | Il faut que tu fasses tes devoirs. |
| Être content(e) que | ✅ Yes (Emotion) | Je suis content qu'il soit venu. |
| Avoir peur que | ✅ Yes (Emotion/Fear) | J'ai peur qu'elle ne réussisse pas. |
| Bien que | ✅ Yes (Conjunction of opposition) | Bien qu'il pleuve, nous sortons. |
| Je ne pense pas que | ✅ Yes (Doubt/Negation) | Je ne pense pas qu'il sache la réponse. |
| Je pense que | ❌ No (Indicative/Certainty) | Je pense qu'il *sait* la réponse. |
Subjunctive Worksheet Generator
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How to Master the Subjunctive
1. **Identify the Trigger:** Does the main clause express Will, Emotion, Impersonal, Request, Doubt, or Other? 2. **Check the Exception:** Is it a certainty verb (like *penser* or *croire*) used in the affirmative? If so, use the Indicative. 3. **Conjugate:** If Subjunctive is required, use the stem from the 3rd person plural (ils) of the present Indicative, plus the Subjunctive endings (-e, -es, -e, -ions, -iez, -ent).