1. Il est peu probable que Vanessa veuille rester avec Samuel.
The subjunctive with expressions of doubt and conjunctions; the past subjunctive
Il est peu probable que Vanessa veuille
rester avec Samuel.
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2. The subjunctive with expressions of doubt and conjunctions
The subjunctive with expressions of doubt and conjunctions; the past subjunctive
The subjunctive with expressions of doubt and conjunctions
Use the subjunctive in subordinate clauses after expressions of doubt or uncertainty.
Il est peu probable qu’il soit astronaute.
It’s unlikely that he’s an astronaut.
Il est possible qu’on atterrisse en avance.
It’s possible that we’re landing early.
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3. The subjunctive with expressions of doubt and conjunctions; the past subjunctive
These expressions of doubt or uncertainty are typically followed by the subjunctive.
douter que...
Il est douteux que...
Il est impossible que...
Il est peu probable que...
Il est possible que...
to doubt that...
It’s doubtful that...
It’s impossible that...
It’s unlikely that...
It’s possible that...
Il n’est pas évident que...
Il n’est pas sûr que...
Il n’est pas vrai que...
Il semble que...
Il se peut que...
It’s not obvious that...
It’s not sure that...
It’s not true that...
It seems that...
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4. The subjunctive with expressions of doubt and conjunctions; the past subjunctive
Some expressions call for the subjunctive in the negative, but take the indicative in the affirmative. This is because only the negative statements express uncertainty or doubt.
Indicative
Subjunctive
Je suis sûr qu’elle vient aujourd’hui.
I’m sure she’s coming today.
Je ne suis pas sûr qu’elle vienne demain.
I’m not sure she’s coming tomorrow.
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5. The subjunctive with expressions of doubt and conjunctions; the past subjunctive
The verbs croire, espérer, and penser in negative statements or in questions also require the subjunctive in the subordinate clause. In affirmative statements, the verb in the subordinate clause is in the indicative.
Indicative
Subjunctive
Je crois qu’elle part. I believe she’s leaving.
Je ne crois pas qu’elle parte.
I don’t believe she’s leaving.
Croyez-vous qu’elle parte?
Do you believe she’s leaving?
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6. The subjunctive with expressions of doubt and conjunctions; the past subjunctive
ATTENTION!
In a negative question containing penser, croire, or espérer, the subordinate clause takes the indicative.
Ne penses-tu pas que c’est une découverte capitale?
Don’t you think it’s a breakthrough discovery?
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7. The subjunctive is also required after these conjunctions.
The subjunctive with expressions of doubt and conjunctions; the past subjunctive
The subjunctive is also required after these conjunctions.
à condition que
à moins que
afin que
avant que
bien que
de peur que
on the condition that
unless
in order that
before
although
for fear that
en attendant que
jusqu’à ce que
pour que
pourvu que
quoique
sans que
waiting for
until
so that
provided that
without
Bien que ses intentions soient bonnes, elle se trompe souvent.
Although her intentions are good,
she is often mistaken.
Ils expliquent leur recherche pour que nous en connaissions les conséquences.
They explain their research so that we know the consequences.
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8. The subjunctive with expressions of doubt and conjunctions; the past subjunctive
ATTENTION!
If the subject of the main clause is the same as the subject of the subordinate clause, these conjunctions are followed by the infinitive instead of the subjunctive: à condition de, à moins de, afin de, avant de, de peur de, en attendant de, pour, and sans.
Il est entré sans parler.
He came in without speaking.
On arrivera en retard à moins de prendre le train.
We’ll arrive late unless we take the train.
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9. The subjunctive with expressions of doubt and conjunctions; the past subjunctive
If the verb in a subordinate clause following a subjunctive trigger took place in the past, use the past subjunctive.
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10. The subjunctive with expressions of doubt and conjunctions; the past subjunctive
ATTENTION!
The expressions à moins que, de peur que, de crainte que, sans que, and avant que are often accompanied by the ne explétif. The word ne is placed before the subjunctive form of the verb; it is not a negation and adds no meaning to the statement.
Les élèves arrivent avant que le professeur ne commence son cours.
The students arrive before the teacher starts his class.
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11. The subjunctive with expressions of doubt and conjunctions; the past subjunctive
Like the passé composé and the plus-que-parfait, the past subjunctive is formed by combining a helping verb (avoir or être) with a past participle. In the past subjunctive, the helping verb is in the present subjunctive.
Il se peut qu’ils aient oublié la réunion de neuf heures.
It’s possible that they forgot the 9 o’clock meeting.
Nous ne sommes pas certains qu’elle soit arrivée avant nous.
We are not certain that she arrived before us.
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12. The subjunctive with expressions of doubt and conjunctions; the past subjunctive
If a verb takes the helping verb avoir in the passé composé or plus-que-parfait, it also takes avoir in the past subjunctive.
j’ai téléchargé
tu as téléchargé
il/elle a téléchargé
nous avons téléchargé
vous avez téléchargé
ils/elles ont téléchargé
que j’aie téléchargé
que tu aies téléchargé
qu’il/elle ait téléchargé
que nous ayons téléchargé
que vous ayez téléchargé
qu’ils/elles aient téléchargé
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13. The subjunctive with expressions of doubt and conjunctions; the past subjunctive
If a verb takes the helping verb être in the passé composé or plus-que-parfait, it also takes être in the past subjunctive.
je me suis adapté(e)
tu t’es adapté(e)
il/elle s’est adapté(e)
nous nous sommes adapté(e)s
vous vous êtes adapté(e)(s)
ils/elles se sont adapté(e)s
que je me sois adapté(e)
que tu te sois adapté(e)
qu’il/elle se soit adapté(e)
que nous nous soyons adapté(e)s
que vous vous soyez adapté(e)(s)
qu’ils/elles se soient adapté(e)s
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