In French, the subjunctive is used in a number of subordinate clauses. As it occurs rather frequently, it is important to learn the rules that govern its use.
In the exercises that follow, fill in the blanks with the appropriate verb form. Be aware: You must in each case determine in the first place whether and why the subjunctive is used (as opposed to the indicative or the inifinitive).
Ex. #1 - Vocab.?
Ex. #2 - Vocab.?
Ex. #3 - Vocab.?
Ex. #4 - Vocab.?
Ex. #5 - Vocab.?
Ex. #6 - Vocab.?
Ex. #7 - Vocab.?
Ex. #8 - Vocab.?
Ex. #9 - Vocab.?
Ex. #10 - Vocab.?
Improper use of the subjunctive after a verb.
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Improper formation of the subjunctive.
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Proper use of the subjunctive after a verb.
The subjunctive is used when the verb of the main clause expresses a necessity or an obligation (il faut que, ...), a will (vouloir que,...), an emotion (être triste/heureux/fâché/étonné... que, craindre que, regretter que...), a possibility or an impossibility (il est possible/impossible que) or a doubt (douter que...).
Proper use of the subjunctive vs. the infinitive.
The subjunctive is used after a conjunction only if the subjects of the 2 clauses are different. If the subjects are the same, the infinitive is used after the conjunction, and the que of the conjunction changes to the preposition de. (eg: J'irai nager à condition qu'il fasse beau./ J'irai nager à condition de me sentir bien.) Exceptions are sans que>sans and pour que>pour . Also note that the concessive conjunctions (bien que, quoique) always take the subjunctive.
Improper use of the subjunctive vs. the infinitive.
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Improper use of the subjunctive vs. the infinitive.
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Proper use of the subjunctive with croire, penser, ...
Be aware: Certain verbs take the subjunctive only in the negative and interrogative form: croire que, penser que, être certain/sûr que. (eg: Je pense qu'il est là./ Je ne pense pas quil soit là.)
Improper use of the subjunctive with croire, penser, ...
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Improper formation of the subjunctive.
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Improper use of the subjunctive with croire, penser, ...
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Proper use of the subjunctive with croire, penser, ...
Be aware: Certain verbs take the subjunctive only in the negative and interrogative form: croire que, penser que, être certain/sûr que. (eg: Je pense qu'il est là./ Je ne pense pas quil soit là.)
Proper use of the subjunctive with expressions of uncertainty or superlativity.
The subjunctive is sometimes used in a subordinate clause to express a desired but uncertain condition. (eg: Je cherche un homme qui soit beau, charmant et intelligent./ Je connais un homme qui est beau.....) This subjective attitude is also expressed with superlatives and requires the use of the subjunctive. (eg: C'est l'homme le plus charmant que je connaisse.)
Proper use of the past subjunctive.
The past subjunctive is formed with the present subjunctive of the auxilary être or avoir followed by the past participle. It is used when the action of the subordinate clause precedes the action of the main clause. (eg: J'ai peur qu'il ait attrapé un rhume hier soir.) Rules for determining the correct choice of auxilary and the agreement of the past participle are the same as for other compound tenses.(cf. The passé composé vs. the imparfait I and II)
Improper use of the past subjunctive.
Try again.
Improper use of the subjunctive with expressions of uncertainty or superlativity.
Try again.
Improper formation of the subjunctive.
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Improper use of the subjunctive after a verb.
Try again.
Proper use of the subjunctive after a verb.
The subjunctive is used when the verb of the main clause expresses a necessity or an obligation (il faut que, ...), a will (vouloir que,...), an emotion (être triste/heureux/fâché/étonné... que, craindre que, regretter que...), a possibility or an impossibility (il est possible/impossible que) or a doubt (douter que...).
Proper use of the subjunctive after a conjunction.
The subjunctive is used after certain conjunctions. These conjunctions express purpose (pour que, afin que), restriction (à moins que, sans que), condition (à condition que, pouvu que), concession (bien que, quoique, malgré que) and temporality (avant que, jusqu'à ce que, en attendant que).
Improper use of the subjunctive after a conjunction.
Try again.
Improper use of the subjunctive after a conjunction.
Try again.
Improper use of the subjunctive vs. the infinitive.
Try again.
Improper use of the subjunctive vs. the infinitive
Try again.
Proper use of the subjunctive vs. the infinitive
The subjunctive is used only if the subject of the main clause is different from the subject of the subordinate clause. If the subjects are the same, the infinitive is used instead of the subjunctive (eg: Je veux que tu viennes./ Je veux venir.)
Proper use of the past subjunctive.
The past subjunctive is formed with the present subjunctive of the auxilary être or avoir followed by the past participle. It is used when the action of the subordinate clause precedes the action of the main clause. (eg: J'ai peur qu'il ait attrapé un rhume hier soir.) Rules for determining the correct choice of auxilary and the agreement of the past participle are the same as for other compound tenses.(cf. The passé composé vs. the imparfait I and II)
Improper use of the past subjunctive.
Try again.
Improper use of the subjunctive after a verb.
Try again.
Improper use of the past subjunctive.
Try again.
Improper use of the subjunctive with espérer.
Try again.
Proper use of the subjunctive with espérer.
Be aware: The verb espérer does not take the subjunctive though it expresses an emotion. (J'espère que tu es heureuse.)
In French, the subjunctive is used in a number of subordinate clauses. As it occurs rather frequently, it is important to learn the rules that govern its use.
In the exercises that follow, fill in the blanks with the appropriate verb form. Be aware: You must in each case determine in the first place whether and why the subjunctive is used (as opposed to the indicative or the inifinitive).
The items covered are:
The subjunctive is formed by dropping the -ent ending of the 3rd person plural of the present and adding the endings -e, -es, -e-, -ions, -iez, -ent. There are a rather large number of irregular verbs whose conjugation must be memorized. These verbs include very frequently used verbs such as être, avoir, pouvoir, vouloir, savoir, aller, faire, etc...
The subjunctive is used when the verb of the main clause expresses a necessity or an obligation (il faut que, ...), a will (vouloir que,...), an emotion (être triste/heureux/fâché/étonné... que, craindre que, regretter que...), a possibility or an impossibility (il est possible/impossible que) or a doubt (douter que...).
The subjunctive is used only if the subject of the main clause is different from the subject of the subordinate clause. If the subjects are the same, the infinitive is used instead of the subjunctive (eg: Je veux que tu viennes./ Je veux venir.)
The subjunctive is used after certain conjunctions. These conjunctions express purpose (pour que, afin que), restriction (à moins que, sans que), condition (à condition que, pouvu que), concession (bien que, quoique, malgré que) and temporality (avant que, jusqu'à ce que, en attendant que).
The subjunctive is used after a conjunction only if the subjects of the 2 clauses are different. If the subjects are the same, the infinitive is used after the conjunction, and the que of the conjunction changes to the preposition de. (eg: J'irai nager à condition qu'il fasse beau./ J'irai nager à condition de me sentir bien.) Exceptions are sans que>sans and pour que>pour . Also note that the concessive conjunctions (bien que, quoique) always take the subjunctive.
Be aware: The verb espérer does not take the subjunctive though it expresses an emotion. (J'espère que tu es heureuse.)
Be aware: Certain verbs take the subjunctive only in the negative and interrogative form: croire que, penser que, être certain/sûr que. (eg: Je pense qu'il est là./ Je ne pense pas quil soit là.)
The subjunctive is sometimes used in a subordinate clause to express a desired but uncertain condition. (eg: Je cherche un homme qui soit beau, charmant et intelligent./ Je connais un homme qui est beau.....) This subjective attitude is also expressed with superlatives and requires the use of the subjunctive. (eg: C'est l'homme le plus charmant que je connaisse.)
The past subjunctive is formed with the present subjunctive of the auxilary être or avoir followed by the past participle. It is used when the action of the subordinate clause precedes the action of the main clause. (eg: J'ai peur qu'il ait attrapé un rhume hier soir.) Rules for determining the correct choice of auxilary and the agreement of the past participle are the same as for other compound tenses.(cf. The passé composé vs. the imparfait I and II)
Copyright 1998 Samuel Schiminovich and Anne Boyman.
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