D’Accord 2 Leçons 6A-7B The subjunctive

Point de départ With the exception of commands and the conditional, the verb forms you have learned have been in the indicative mood. The indicative is used to state facts and to express actions or states that the speaker considers real and definite. In contrast, the subjunctive mood expresses the speaker’s subjective attitudes toward events and actions or states the speaker views as uncertain or hypothetical. 2

The je, tu, il/elle, and ils/elles forms of the three verb types form the subjunctive the same way. They add the subjunctive endings to the stem of the ils/elles form of the present indicative. The nous and vous forms of the present subjunctive are the same as those of the imparfait. 3

The verbs on the preceding page are called one-stem verbs because the same stem is used for all the endings. Two-stem verbs have a different stem for nous and vous, but the rule still applies: the forms are identical to those of the imparfait. 4

Il faut que tu manges la pizza. The subjunctive is usually used in complex sentences that consist of a main clause and a subordinate clause. The main clause contains a verb or expression that triggers the subjunctive. The word que connects the two clauses. Il faut que tu manges la pizza. Main clause Subordinate clause

Some verbs have irregular subjunctive forms.

Use the subjunctive with verbs and expressions of will and emotion Use the subjunctive with verbs and expressions of will and emotion. Verbs and expressions of will are often used when someone wants to influence the actions of other people. Verbs and expressions of emotion express someone’s feelings or attitude.

When the main clause contains an expression of will or emotion and the subordinate clause has a different subject, the subjunctive is required.

WILL Here are some verbs and expressions of will commonly followed by the subjunctive. *espérer que does not take the subjunctive. J’espère que tu aimes manger les épinards.

[Impersonal Expressions of ] Opinion These impersonal expressions of opinion are often followed by clauses in the subjunctive. They are followed by the infinitive, without que, if no person or thing is specified. Add de before the infinitive after expressions with être. 10

EMOTION These are some verbs and expressions of emotion followed by the subjunctive.

The subjunctive is used in a subordinate clause when there is a change of subject and the main clause implies doubt, disbelief, or uncertainty.

Doubt, disbelief, uncertainty subjunctive © and ® 2011 Vista Higher Learning, Inc.

Certainty Indicative The indicative is used in a subordinate clause when the main clause expresses certainty. © and ® 2011 Vista Higher Learning, Inc.

Sometimes a speaker may opt to use the subjunctive in a question to indicate that he or she feels doubtful or uncertain of an affirmative response.

© and ® 2011 Vista Higher Learning, Inc.

If the subject doesn’t change, use the infinitive with expressions of will and emotion. In the case of avoir peur, regretter, and expressions with être, add de before the infinitive. 17

Point de départ Conjunctions are words or phrases that connect other words and clauses in sentences. Certain conjunctions commonly introduce adverbial clauses, which describe how, why, when, and where an action takes place.

Conjunctions that express a condition upon which an action is dependent are followed by the subjunctive form of the verb.

When the subject of the main clause is the same as the subject of the subordinate clause, use the infinitive after these frequently used conjunctions. Note the change in their forms.

Certain expressions trigger the subjunctive in the subordinate clause when the subject of the main clause is different.

Use the indicative in the subordinate clause when there is an expression of belief, certainty, or truth in the main clause. Use the infinitive when the subject of the main clause is the same as that of the subordinate clause.