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Easy tips to learn and use the subjonctif visualisation

Easy tips to learn and use the subjonctif

French Tenses Demystified: An Easy Guide: Easy tips to learn and use the subjonctif
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Here are easy tips to learn and use the French subjunctive (le subjonctif):

Understand the Basics

  • The subjunctive is a mood, expressing things like wishes, doubts, uncertainty, necessity, or emotions rather than facts. It is common after certain verbs and expressions like “Il faut que” (It is necessary that), “Je veux que” (I want that), or “Je doute que” (I doubt that). 1, 6, 9, 10

  • It mostly appears in dependent clauses introduced by “que” (that).

Learn How to Form It Simply

  • Take the present indicative “ils” form of a verb, remove the -ent ending, and add subjunctive endings.

  • Endings for -er and -re verbs are: je -e, tu -es, il/elle/on -e, nous -ions, vous -iez, ils/elles -ent.

  • For -ir verbs, endings differ slightly (je -isse, tu -isses, etc.). 3, 4

Focus on Common Verbs and Expressions

  • Learn fixed expressions that always take the subjunctive, such as “Il faut que,” “à condition que,” “avant que,” “bien que,” “pour que,” and verbs expressing desire, doubt, emotion, or necessity.

  • Practice with common irregular verbs that have irregular subjunctive forms such as être, avoir, aller, faire, pouvoir. 4, 1

Practice Regularly with Practical Phrases

  • Use simple sentences regularly with subjunctive triggers to build familiarity. For example:

    • Il faut que tu viennes. (You must come.)

    • Je doute qu’il soit là. (I doubt he is there.)

    • Il est important que vous fassiez vos devoirs. (It is important that you do your homework.)

  • Practice speaking, writing, and listening—try rephrasing indicative sentences into subjunctive ones. 2

Don’t Stress Over Perfection

  • Native speakers often use the subjunctive without explicitly explaining why; it comes with exposure and usage.

  • Even making mistakes is part of learning; it’s okay to substitute with indicative while mastering the subjunctive. 6

In summary, start by memorizing key verbs and connectors that trigger the subjunctive, learn the basic conjugation rules, practice with simple phrases often, and expose yourself to listening and speaking contexts where the subjunctive is used. This approach makes learning the subjunctive easier and more natural over time.

References

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