Regular subjunctive formation

Level 3

The present subjunctive is used for things that are not necessarily facts, but rather feelings, needs, or possibilities. It is almost always found in a clause starting with que.

How It Works

The subjunctive mood is essential for expressing how you feel about an action rather than just stating the action itself. It is triggered by specific categories often remembered by the acronym WEIRDO (Wishes, Emotions, Impersonal expressions, Requests, Doubt, Opinions).

1. The Subject Rule
The subjunctive is generally used only when there is a change of subject between the main clause and the subordinate clause (e.g., Je veux que tu viennes). If the subject remains the same, an infinitive is usually used instead.

2. The Stem
For most verbs, you find the stem by looking at the ils/elles form of the present indicative and dropping the -ent.

  • Parler (ils parlent) → stem: parl-
  • Finir (ils finissent) → stem: finiss-
  • Vendre (ils vendent) → stem: vend-

3. The Endings
The endings are consistent for almost all verbs:

  • je: -e
  • tu: -es
  • il/elle/on: -e
  • nous: -ions
  • vous: -iez
  • ils/elles: -ent

4. The Two-Stem Rule
Some verbs have a stem change in the present tense (like prendre: nous prenons vs. ils prennent). In the subjunctive, these verbs use the ils stem for the 'boot' forms (je, tu, il, ils) and the nous stem for the nous and vous forms.
Example for prendre:

  • que je prenne
  • que nous prenions

5. Important Nuances
While the WEIRDO acronym is helpful, there are two critical rules to remember:

  • Opinions: Verbs of opinion like penser or croire take the indicative in affirmative statements (e.g., Je pense qu'il est là). They only trigger the subjunctive when used in the negative or as a question (e.g., Je ne pense pas qu'il soit là).
  • Impersonal Expressions: Expressions of necessity or doubt (il faut que, il est possible que) take the subjunctive. However, expressions of certainty or truth (il est certain que, il est évident que) require the indicative.

6. Phonetics
For the regular and two-stem verbs described above, the nous and vous forms of the subjunctive sound exactly like the imparfait. Note that this phonetic similarity does not apply to highly irregular verbs.

Examples (4)

  1. Il faut que tu finisses tes devoirs.

    It is necessary that you finish your homework.

    Word by Word: It must that you finish your homework.

    The expression 'il faut que' is a classic trigger for the subjunctive.

  2. Je suis ravi que vous vendiez votre maison.

    I am delighted that you are selling your house.

    Word by Word: I am delighted that you sell your house.

    Emotions like being 'ravi' (delighted) require the subjunctive. Here, 'vendiez' follows the regular formation from the 'ils' stem.

  3. Bien qu'il pleuve, nous irons nous promener.

    Even though it's raining, we will go for a walk.

    Word by Word: Well that it rains, we will go ourselves to walk.

    The conjunction 'bien que' always triggers the subjunctive mood.

  4. Il est important que nous parlions ensemble.

    It is important that we speak together.

    Word by Word: It is important that we speak together.

    Impersonal expressions of importance trigger the subjunctive. Note the -ions ending.

Common Mistakes

  • Using the subjunctive when the subject of both clauses is the same.

    Je veux que je parte.
    Je veux partir.

    If the subject doesn't change (I want... I leave), you must use the infinitive instead of the subjunctive.

  • Using the subjunctive after 'espérer' (to hope).

    J'espère qu'il vienne.
    J'espère qu'il viendra.

    Although 'hoping' feels like a wish, the verb 'espérer' traditionally takes the indicative (often the future tense) because it implies a level of expectation of reality.

  • Forgetting the stem change for 'nous' and 'vous' in two-stem verbs.

    Il faut que nous vennions.
    Il faut que nous venions.

    For verbs like 'venir', the 'nous' and 'vous' forms of the subjunctive use the 'nous' stem from the present indicative (ven-), not the 'ils' stem (vienn-).

How It Connects

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Regular subjunctive formationLevel 3

Learn This First

To form the regular present subjunctive, you must be able to conjugate verbs in the third-person plural of the present indicative to find the stem. You also need to be familiar with the endings used in the imperfect tense and regular -er verbs, as the subjunctive endings are borrowed from these patterns.

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