vouloir (subjonctif)

Irregular Subjunctive of Vouloir

Level 3

The verb vouloir is irregular in the subjunctive. It uses two different stems: veuill- for the 'boot' forms (je, tu, il, ils) and voul- for the 'nous' and 'vous' forms.

How It Works

The subjunctive of vouloir follows a 'two-stem' pattern common in many irregular French verbs:

1. The 'Boot' Stem (veuill-): Used for je, tu, il/elle/on, and ils/elles. This stem features a distinct vowel change.
2. The 'Nous/Vous' Stem (voul-): Used for nous and vous. This stem is identical to the present indicative and imparfait stems.

Conjugation Table:

  • que je veuille
  • que tu veuilles
  • qu'il/elle/on veuille
  • que nous voulions
  • que vous vouliez
  • qu'ils/elles veuillent

Usage Nuances:
When using vouloir in the subjunctive, it is often triggered by expressions like il faut que or bien que. In these contexts, it typically translates to 'wanting' or 'desiring,' though in certain phrases it can carry a nuance of 'willingness.'

Imperative Connection:
It is helpful to note that the imperative of vouloir (veuille, veuillons, veuillez) is irregular and is derived from these subjunctive stems. While the form veuillez is the standard way to say 'Please' in formal correspondence (e.g., Veuillez agréer...), the singular veuille and plural veuillons are considered archaic or literary in modern French.

Examples (4)

  1. Il faut que tu veuilles m'aider pour que ça marche.

    You have to want to help me for it to work.

    Word by Word: It must that you want (subj.) me to help for that it works.

    Here, 'il faut que' triggers the subjunctive 'veuilles' to express a necessary internal state of will.

  2. C'est ainsi, que tu le veuilles ou non.

    That's how it is, whether you like it or not.

    Word by Word: It is thus, that you it want (subj.) or not.

    This is a very common fixed expression using the subjunctive to show that the outcome is independent of one's will.

  3. Je ne pense pas qu'ils veuillent venir avec nous.

    I don't think they want to come with us.

    Word by Word: I not think not that they want (subj.) to come with us.

    The verb 'penser' in the negative triggers the subjunctive 'veuillent' because it expresses doubt.

  4. Bien que nous le voulions, nous ne pouvons pas rester.

    Although we want to, we cannot stay.

    Word by Word: Although we it want (subj.), we not can not stay.

    Notice that the 'nous' form 'voulions' looks identical to the imparfait, but it is subjunctive here because of 'bien que'.

Common Mistakes

  • Using the 'veuill-' stem for the 'nous' and 'vous' forms.

    Il est possible que nous veuillions partir.
    Il est possible que nous voulions partir.

    The 'veuill-' stem is only for the 'boot' forms. 'Nous' and 'vous' must return to the 'voul-' stem.

  • Confusing the subjunctive 'vouliez' with the formal imperative 'veuillez'.

    Vouliez vous asseoir, s'il vous plaît.
    Veuillez vous asseoir, s'il vous plaît.

    When giving a polite command (Please...), use the imperative 'veuillez'. Use 'vouliez' only after a subjunctive trigger like 'il faut que'.

How It Connects

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

vouloir (subjonctif)Level 3Irregular Subjunctive of Vouloir

Learn This First

To learn the irregular subjunctive of 'vouloir', learners must first understand the general rules for forming the subjunctive mood. Additionally, familiarity with the present tense of 'vouloir' is helpful because the subjunctive uses the same 'nous/vous' stem (voul-) as the indicative.

Words in This Pattern

vouloir