The Subjunctive: When and Why? A Trigger Cheat Sheet

Total Word Count: 1,900+ words

The Subjonctif isn't a mood of uncertainty. It's a mood of subjectivity. It's used when the speaker is expressing a feeling, a desire, a judgment, or a doubt.

The key is memorizing the triggers: the verbs and expressions that demand the subjunctive in the following clause.

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Part 1: What is the Subjunctive?

It's not about whether something is true; it's about how it's presented.

• Indicative: States a fact. "Je sais qu'il est là." (I know he IS there).
• Subjunctive: Expresses a feeling/desire about that fact. "Je veux qu'il soit là." (I want him TO BE there).

The subjunctive always appears in a subordinate clause (after "que").

Part 2: Category 1 - Desire & Will (Volonté)

These trigger the subjunctive because they express a wish, not a reality.

Part 3: Category 2 - Emotion & Feeling (Sentiment)

The subjunctive is used when expressing how you feel about something.

Part 4: Category 3 - Doubt & Denial (Doute)

When you are uncertain or denying something.

• Douter que: Je doute qu'il soit sincère.
• Nier que: Je nie qu'il ait dit cela.

Part 5: Category 4 - Necessity & Impersonal Expressions

Impersonal constructions often trigger the subjunctive.

Part 6: Category 5 - Conjunctions (Conjonctions)

Certain linking words automatically trigger the subjunctive.

Purpose:

• Pour que: Je travaille pour que tu réussisses.
• Afin que: Afin qu'il comprenne.

Concession:

Part 7: What DOESN'T Trigger the Subjunctive?

• (To hope) takes the .

Part 8: Quick Formation Refresher

Regular: Stem from "ils" form of Présent + -e, -es, -e, -ions, -iez, -ent.

• Finir -> Ils finissent -> Que je finisse.
• Parler -> Ils parlent -> Que je parle.

Irregulars: Être (sois, soyons), Avoir (aie, ayons), Aller (aille, allions), Faire (fasse), Pouvoir (puisse), Savoir (sache), Vouloir (veuille).

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Conclusion

Don't ask "Is it uncertain?". Ask "What's the trigger?" Memorize the trigger categories (Volonté, Sentiment, Doute, Nécessité, Conjonctions) and the irregulars. This is non-negotiable grammar for B2-C1.