avant que + Subjunctive
Before with Avant Que
avant que + subjunctive = "before [someone else does something]"
How It Works
The structure avant que is used to connect two actions where one happens before the other.
1. The Subjunctive Requirement
French grammar requires the subjunctive mood after avant que because the action is viewed as a prospect that has not yet been realized. While the present subjunctive is most common, the past subjunctive is used when you need to emphasize that the action must be completed before the main action occurs.
2. Contrast with 'Après que'
It is helpful to contrast this with après que (after). While avant que uses the subjunctive because the action hasn't happened yet, après que technically requires the indicative because the action has already occurred.
3. Different Subjects
Use avant que only when the subject of the main clause is different from the subject of the subordinate clause. If the subject is the same, use avant de + infinitive instead.
4. The 'Ne Explétif'
In formal writing, you might see a ne expletif before the verb (e.g., avant qu'il ne parte). This ne does not make the sentence negative. Warning: Do not add pas here; adding pas would turn the sentence into a literal negative and change the meaning.
5. Elision
Remember that que becomes qu' before a vowel or a silent h (qu'il, qu'elle, qu'on).
Examples (5)
- Je veux te voir avant que tu partes.
I want to see you before you leave.
Word by Word: I want to see you before that you leave.
Here, 'partes' is the subjunctive form of 'partir'. The subjects are different (Je vs. Tu).
- Il faut finir le projet avant qu'il soit trop tard.
We must finish the project before it is too late.
Word by Word: It is necessary to finish the project before that it be too late.
'Soit' is the irregular subjunctive of être.
- Appelle-moi avant que le film ne commence.
Call me before the movie starts.
Word by Word: Call me before that the film [explétif] starts.
This example uses the formal 'ne explétif', which adds no negative meaning.
- Range ta chambre avant que tes parents n'arrivent.
Tidy your room before your parents arrive.
Word by Word: Tidy your room before that your parents [explétif] arrive.
'Arrivent' is the subjunctive form, which looks identical to the indicative for -er verbs in the third-person plural.
- Il est parti avant que j'aie pu lui parler.
He left before I was able to speak to him.
Word by Word: He is left before that I have could to him to speak.
This uses the past subjunctive (aie pu) because the ability to speak was a completed potential action in the past.
Common Mistakes
Using the indicative mood instead of the subjunctive.
Je partirai avant qu'il pleut.Je partirai avant qu'il pleuve.Even if it is certain to rain, 'avant que' triggers the subjunctive 'pleuve', not the indicative 'pleut'.
Using 'avant que' when the subject is the same.
Je mange avant que je parte.Je mange avant de partir.When the subject is the same (Je... je), you must use 'avant de' followed by the infinitive.
Adding 'pas' to the 'ne explétif'.
Different MeaningPartons avant qu'il ne vienne pas.Partons avant qu'il ne vienne.The 'ne' in 'avant que... ne' is a formal stylistic filler and does not make the clause negative. 'Avant qu'il ne vienne' means 'before he comes'. Adding 'pas' changes the meaning to 'before he fails to come'.
How It Connects
Learn This First
To use 'avant que' correctly, you must be comfortable with the subjunctive mood, as this conjunction always triggers it. You also need to understand how subordinate clauses are structured in French using the connector 'que'.
- faire (subjonctif)Irregular Subjunctive of Faire
Many common verbs used with 'avant que' have irregular subjunctive stems that must be learned to use the pattern correctly.
Level 3 - que (pronom relatif)Relative Pronoun Que (Object)
Understanding the function of 'que' as a conjunction/connector is necessary to grasp how 'avant que' introduces a subordinate clause.
Level 2
Related Patterns
- Regular subjunctive formation
This pattern requires knowledge of how to conjugate verbs in the present subjunctive.
Level 3 - avant de + InfinitiveBefore Doing Something with Avant De
This is the alternative used when the subject of both actions is the same.
Level 3 - avant que + ne + SubjunctiveExpletive Ne After Avant Que
Explains the formal use of the non-negative 'ne' often found with this conjunction.
Level 5 - Past subjunctive formation
Used with 'avant que' when referring to an action that would have been completed in the past.
Level 4 - Avoiding the subjunctive with a same-subject infinitive
Explains the general rule of avoiding the subjunctive when the subject doesn't change.
Level 4 - après + Past InfinitiveAfter Doing Something with Apres + Past Infinitive
The chronological opposite of 'avant que', though it follows different grammatical rules.
Level 3
Words in This Pattern
Practice avant que + Subjunctive in Bubblegum
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