What is the SUBJUNCTIVE MOOD? In French as in English, verbs may be in the indicative, imperative, or subjunctive mood. The INDICATIVE mood is used to make statements of fact. She sits down Elle mange la soupe The IMPERATIVE mood is used for commands. Sit down!Mange la soupe! The SUBJUNCTIVE mood is used to express actions or ideas that are subjective or otherwise uncertain. The action may be something Contrary to Fact or something that May or May Not happen. Thus, this mood is called the subjunctive (like the word “subjective” ) because it is influenced by opinions rather than facts. In French as in English, verbs may be in the indicative, imperative, or subjunctive mood. The INDICATIVE mood is used to make statements of fact. She sits down Elle mange la soupe The IMPERATIVE mood is used for commands. Sit down!Mange la soupe! The SUBJUNCTIVE mood is used to express actions or ideas that are subjective or otherwise uncertain. The action may be something Contrary to Fact or something that May or May Not happen. Thus, this mood is called the subjunctive (like the word “subjective” ) because it is influenced by opinions rather than facts.

Identify the mood of the underlined verb. Indicative, Imperative or Subjunctive 1. Straighten your room before you leave! Imperative (command) 2. She acted as though I were her daughter. Subjunctive (statement contrary to fact) 3. Canada is a francophone country. Indicative (fact) 4. It is important that you do your homework. Subjunctive (doing the homework may or may not happen)

When do we use the SUBJUNCTIVE? Use the subjunctive with verbs that express: Necessity, Obligation Desire, Wish or Demand Doubt, Uncertainty, Possibility Emotion/Opinion (fear, regret, happy, sad…)

Expressions of NECESSITY/POSSIBILITY Chapitre 1 Il faut que….It is necessary that… (one must…) il est nécessaire que …It is necessary that… il est important que …It is important that… il vaut mieux que …It is better that … Je veux que….I want that … Il se peut que….It could be that …. Il est possible que…It is possible that ….. Ex: Je suis en retard, il faut que je parte. – I’m late, it’s necessary that I leave.( I must leave)

Expressions of WISHES, PREFERENCES and DEMANDS Chapitre 2 Je veux que… Je voudrais que… I want that… I would like that… Je préfère que…I prefer that… je souhaite que….I wish that…. J’aimerais que……. I would love that… J’exige que… Je demande que… I demand that… Ex: Le professeur exige que les élèves fassent leurs devoirs. The teacher demands that the students do their homework.

Expressions of EMOTION ( fear, happiness, anger or regret…) chapitre 3 J’ai peur que… I am afraid that… Je crains que…I fear that… Je suis content(e) que… I am happy that… Il est dommage que….It is too bad…. Je regrette que……. I regret that… ex: Je suis content qu’il fasse beau. – I’m happy that the weather is good.

Expressions of DOUBT / OPINION Chapitre 4 Je doute que….I doubt that… il semble que …it seems that… il est peu probable que … Il n’est pas probable que… it is improbable that… il vaut mieux que …it is better that … Je ne pense pas que…I do not think that… Je ne crois pas que…I do not believe that…. Il n’est pas certain que…It is not certain that… Ex: Il est douteux que tu arrives à l’heure. It is doubful that you will arrive on time.

The SUBJUNCTIVE MUST HAVEs

CHANTERFINIRVENDRE Je chante tu chantes Il/elle chante Nous chantions Vous chantiez Ils/elles chantent Je finisse Tu finisses Il/elle finisse Nous finissions Vous finissiez Ils/elles finissent Je vende tu vendes Il/elle vende Nous vendions Vous vendiez Ils/elles vendent How do we form the SUBJUNCTIVE? Take the “ils” form of the present indicative tense and drop the -ent. Ils parl ---ent Ils finiss ---ent Ils vend ---ent Add the following endings: E, ES, E, IONS, IEZ, ENT QUE

AVOIRETREALLERFAIRE Je/j’aiesoisaillefasse Tuaiessoisaillesfasses Il/elle/onaitsoitaillefasse Nousayonssoyonsallionsfassions Vousayezsoyezalliezfassiez Ils/Ellesaientsoientaillentfassent

Just remember SUBJUNCTIVE = subjectivity, unreality is used to express an action that may or may not take place. is used in clauses and is introduced by the word “QUE” is formed by using the stem from the “ils” form of the present tense, and drop the “ent” The endings for the subjunctive conjugation is : e, es, e, ions, iez, ent LET’S RECAP.

Here’s a mnemonic to help remember the uses of the SUBJUNCTIVE. The subjunctive is used with verbs that express: N ecessity (obligation, need, demand…) E motion (sad, happy, sorry, fear, hope, regret, surprised…) W ish/want P ossibility/preference D oubt (uncertainty, disbelief) D esire

That’s a lot!! If you continue your studies in French, you will be certain to see these uses and many others. But for now, just concentrate on wishes and desires! Wow!