quelque + Adjective + que + Subjunctive

However...(adjective) with Quelque...que

Level 6

Use quelque...que + subjunctive to express 'however [adjective]' or 'whatever [noun]'. It is a highly formal way to show that a quality or quantity doesn't change the outcome.

How It Works

The structure quelque...que is used in formal or literary French (langue soutenue) to introduce a contrast. It emphasizes the intensity of a quality.

1. With Adjectives or Adverbs (Invariable)
When modifying an adjective or adverb, quelque acts as an adverb and does not take an 's'.
Structure: Quelque + [Adjective/Adverb] + que + [Subject] + Subjunctive.
Example: Quelque intelligents qu'ils soient... (However intelligent they may be...)

2. With Nouns (Agreement)
When modifying a noun, quelque acts as an adjective and must agree in number (singular or plural) with that noun.
Structure: Quelque(s) + [Noun] + que + [Subject] + Subjunctive.
Example: Quelques efforts qu'il fasse... (Whatever efforts he makes...)

3. Important Notes

  • The Subjunctive: The verb in the 'que' clause must always be in the subjunctive mood.
  • No Elision: Unlike many words ending in 'e', quelque does not elide before a vowel. Write quelque aimable, not quelqu'aimable.
  • Register: This is rare in speech. In casual French, speakers prefer avoir beau or si... que.

Examples (4)

  1. Quelque puissants qu'ils soient, ils ne peuvent changer le passé.

    However powerful they may be, they cannot change the past.

    Word by Word: However powerful that they be, they not can change the past.

    Here, 'quelque' modifies the adjective 'puissants'. Note that 'quelque' remains singular even though 'puissants' is plural.

  2. Quelque adroitement qu'il s'y prenne, il échouera.

    No matter how skillfully he goes about it, he will fail.

    Word by Word: However skillfully that he there takes himself, he will fail.

    In this case, 'quelque' modifies the adverb 'adroitement'. The verb 'prenne' is in the subjunctive.

  3. Quelques précautions que vous preniez, le risque subsiste.

    Whatever precautions you take, the risk remains.

    Word by Word: Whatever precautions that you take, the risk remains.

    Because 'quelques' modifies the noun 'précautions', it takes an 's' to agree with the plural noun.

  4. Quelque aimable qu'elle paraisse, je ne lui fais pas confiance.

    However likable she may seem, I do not trust her.

    Word by Word: However likable that she seems, I not to her do not trust.

    Note that 'quelque' does not elide before the vowel 'a' in 'aimable'.

Common Mistakes

  • Using the indicative mood instead of the subjunctive.

    Quelque riche qu'il est, il est malheureux.
    Quelque riche qu'il soit, il est malheureux.

    The structure 'quelque...que' is a concessive subordinator that strictly requires the subjunctive mood.

  • Pluralizing 'quelque' when it precedes an adjective.

    Quelques grands qu'ils soient...
    Quelque grands qu'ils soient...

    When 'quelque' modifies an adjective, it functions as an adverb. Adverbs in French are invariable and do not take an 's'.

  • Confusing 'quelque' with 'quel que'.

    Quelque soit son avis...
    Quel que soit son avis...

    'Quel que' (two words) is used specifically before the verb 'être'. 'Quelque...que' (one word) is used before adjectives, adverbs, or nouns.

How It Connects

Tap a pattern to see what it builds on and what it leads to.

quelque + Adjective + que + SubjunctiveLevel 6However...(adjective) with Quelque...que

Learn This First

To learn 'quelque...que + subjunctive', you must be comfortable with the formation of the subjunctive mood and how adjectives agree with nouns. It is also helpful to understand other concessive structures like 'bien que' which share a similar logical function.

Words in This Pattern