When do you use the French subjunctive?

The subjunctive is used after expressions of: (1) emotion (Je suis content que tu sois là), (2) doubt/uncertainty (Je doute qu'il vienne), (3) necessity/obligation (Il faut que tu partes), (4) desire/will (Je veux que tu fasses tes devoirs), (5) some conjunctions (bien que, pour que, avant que), and (6) superlatives + subjective judgment (C'est le meilleur film que j'aie vu).

How do you conjugate the French subjunctive?

The subjunctive stem comes from the ils/elles form of the present tense minus -ent. Add endings: -e, -es, -e, -ions, -iez, -ent. Irregular verbs: être → je sois, avoir → j'aie, aller → j'aille, faire → je fasse, pouvoir → je puisse, savoir → je sache, vouloir → je veuille, falloir → il faille. The subjunctive is NOT a tense — it's a mood used in subordinate clauses after que.

What's the difference between subjonctif and indicatif?

The indicatif expresses facts, certainty, and objective reality (Je sais qu'il vient — I know he's coming). The subjonctif expresses subjectivity — doubt, emotion, desire, uncertainty (Je veux qu'il vienne — I want him to come). After expressions of certainty (il est certain que, je sais que, je pense que affirmatively), use indicatif; after doubt and emotion, use subjonctif.

When do you use the French subjunctive?

The subjunctive is used after expressions of: (1) emotion (Je suis content que tu sois là), (2) doubt/uncertainty (Je doute qu'il vienne), (3) necessity/obligation (Il faut que tu partes), (4) desire/will (Je veux que tu fasses tes devoirs), (5) some conjunctions (bien que, pour que, avant que), and (6) superlatives + subjective judgment (C'est le meilleur film que j'aie vu).

How do you conjugate the French subjunctive?

The subjunctive stem comes from the ils/elles form of the present tense minus -ent. Add endings: -e, -es, -e, -ions, -iez, -ent. Irregular verbs: être → je sois, avoir → j'aie, aller → j'aille, faire → je fasse, pouvoir → je puisse, savoir → je sache, vouloir → je veuille, falloir → il faille. The subjunctive is NOT a tense — it's a mood used in subordinate clauses after que.

What's the difference between subjonctif and indicatif?

The indicatif expresses facts, certainty, and objective reality (Je sais qu'il vient — I know he's coming). The subjonctif expresses subjectivity — doubt, emotion, desire, uncertainty (Je veux qu'il vienne — I want him to come). After expressions of certainty (il est certain que, je sais que, je pense que affirmatively), use indicatif; after doubt and emotion, use subjonctif.

How do I conjugate French verbs?

French verbs are conjugated by identifying the group (-er, -ir, -re) and applying the appropriate ending for each subject pronoun and tense. Regular -er verbs follow a predictable pattern, while -ir and -re verbs have more variations. Irregular verbs (être, avoir, aller, faire) must be memorized. PrepMyFrench offers a complete conjugator tool and 150+ free exercises.

What are the 3 groups of French verbs?

The three groups of French verbs are: 1st group (-er verbs like parler, aimer — the largest and most regular), 2nd group (-ir verbs ending in -issant like finir, choisir), and 3rd group (all other -ir, -re, and -oir verbs including irregulars like prendre, venir, vouloir). Each group follows different conjugation patterns.

What are the most common irregular French verbs?

The most common irregular French verbs are: être (to be), avoir (to have), aller (to go), faire (to do/make), pouvoir (can), vouloir (want), devoir (must), savoir (to know), venir (to come), and prendre (to take). These top 50 verbs account for the vast majority of everyday French speech and writing.

What is the difference between avoir and être as auxiliaries?

In compound tenses like passé composé, most French verbs use avoir as the auxiliary (J'ai parlé). However, être is used with: (1) 17 Dr. & Mrs. Vandertramp verbs (aller, venir, arriver, partir, monter, descendre, etc.), (2) all pronominal/reflexive verbs (Je me suis lavé), and (3) the passive voice (Il est aimé).

Where can I learn French grammar online for free?

PrepMyFrench offers a complete free French grammar course covering tenses, verbs, nouns, adjectives, pronouns, and sentence structure. All 60+ lessons include interactive exercises designed for TEF/TCF Canada exam preparation, from A1 beginner to C1 advanced levels.

What are the most important French grammar topics for the TEF/TCF exam?

The most important French grammar topics for TEF/TCF Canada are: verb tenses (présent, passé composé, imparfait, futur simple, subjonctif, conditionnel), relative pronouns (qui, que, dont, où), sentence structure (negation, interrogative forms, indirect speech), and adjective agreement. PrepMyFrench covers all of these with free exercises.

Is French grammar hard to learn?

French grammar has challenging aspects — like gendered nouns, verb conjugations, and the subjunctive mood — but it follows consistent rules. The key is structured practice. PrepMyFrench's grammar section breaks down each topic with clear explanations and 150+ interactive exercises that let you learn step by step.

How can I practice French grammar with exercises?

PrepMyFrench provides free interactive grammar exercises for every topic: multiple-choice questions, fill-in-the-blanks, conjugation drills, and sentence building. Exercises are organized by level (A1-C1) and topic, with instant feedback so you can learn from mistakes immediately.

Verbes (Verbs)

Grammaire

Verbes

Verbes et expressions suivis du subjonctif en français

Intro Desc

Trigger Title

La volonté

Will Verbs

“Will Ex”

Necessity Title

Necessity Verbs

“Necessity Ex”

Le doute

Doubt Verbs

“Doubt Ex”

Emotion Title

Emotion Verbs

“Emotion Ex”

Esperer Title

Esperer Desc

Conjunctions Title

Conj Title time

Conj List time

Conj Title goal

Conj List goal

Conj Title cond

Conj List cond

Conj Title opp

Conj List opp

Idioms Title

Idiom F 1

Idiom E 1

Idiom F 2

Idiom E 2

Idiom F 3

Idiom E 3

Idiom F 4

Idiom E 4

PRACTICE THIS TOPIC

Book a 1:1 teacher session

1:1 TEACHER

Jerry and PrepMyFrench affiliated teachers run private TEF/TCF sessions you can book after this lesson — live feedback on the grammar you just studied.

Immigration consultation for advanced candidates

PATHWAYS

Already around B2 / CLB 7 and thinking about Express Entry, PEQ, or PR next steps? Book a 1-hour pathway consultation instead of guessing eligibility yourself.

PrepMyFrench