être (subjonctif)

Irregular Subjunctive of Etre

Level 3

The verb être is completely irregular in the subjunctive. It uses the stem soi- for singular and 3rd person plural, and soy- for nous and vous.

How It Works

The subjunctive of être is triggered by specific phrases in a main clause, usually followed by que.

Conjugation Table:

  • que je sois
  • que tu sois
  • qu'il/elle/on soit
  • que nous soyons
  • que vous soyez
  • qu'ils/elles soient

Key Usage Rules:
1. Pronunciation: The forms sois, soit, and soient are all pronounced the same way (/swa/). The nous and vous forms add a 'y' sound (/swa.jɔ̃/ and /swa.je/).
2. Triggers: You must use these forms after expressions of necessity like il faut que, emotions like je suis content que, or doubt like il est possible que.
3. Register: Unlike some literary tenses, the present subjunctive of être is mandatory in both spoken and written French. Using the indicative (like est) after a subjunctive trigger is a noticeable grammatical error.

Examples (5)

  1. Il faut que tu sois prêt à huit heures.

    You must be ready at eight o'clock.

    Word by Word: It must that you be ready at eight hours.

    The expression 'il faut que' triggers the subjunctive 'sois' to express necessity.

  2. Je suis ravi que nous soyons amis.

    I am delighted that we are friends.

    Word by Word: I am delighted that we be friends.

    The emotion 'ravi que' requires the subjunctive 'soyons' instead of the indicative 'sommes'.

  3. Bien que ce soit difficile, j'essaie d'apprendre.

    Even though it is difficult, I am trying to learn.

    Word by Word: Well that it be difficult, I try to learn.

    The conjunction 'bien que' (although) always triggers the subjunctive 'soit'.

  4. Il est possible qu'ils soient en retard.

    It is possible that they are late.

    Word by Word: It is possible that they be in late.

    Possibility and doubt trigger the subjunctive 'soient'.

  5. Je veux que vous soyez honnêtes avec moi.

    I want you to be honest with me.

    Word by Word: I want that you be honest with me.

    The verb 'vouloir que' (to want that) triggers the subjunctive 'soyez'.

Common Mistakes

  • Using the indicative after 'il faut que'.

    Il faut que tu es là.
    Il faut que tu sois là.

    Learners often use the familiar indicative 'es' (you are) instead of the required subjunctive 'sois' after expressions of necessity.

  • Confusing 'sois' (1st/2nd person) with 'soit' (3rd person).

    Il faut que je soit calme.
    Il faut que je sois calme.

    While they sound identical, 'sois' ends in -s for 'je' and 'tu', while 'soit' ends in -t for 'il/elle/on'.

  • Using the subjunctive when the subject is the same.

    Je veux que je sois libre.
    Je veux être libre.

    If the subject of both parts of the sentence is the same (I want... I be), French uses the infinitive 'être' instead of the subjunctive.

How It Connects

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être (subjonctif)Level 3Irregular Subjunctive of Etre

Learn This First

To learn the irregular subjunctive of 'être', you first need to understand the basic purpose and regular endings of the subjunctive mood. Additionally, you must be familiar with the verb 'être' itself and the subject pronouns used to conjugate it.

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