The subjunctive mood If I were you, I’d call him It is absolutely necessary that you be there on time May God save the queen! Normally, in English we would say: I was you are God saves However there are some phrases that require the SUBJUNCTIVE. These are usually set phrases that suggest doubt, uncertainty or ordering someone to do something. French also has the subjunctive, but it is more common than in English

The subjunctive mood There is no requirement to use the subjunctive at GCSE level, but if you can use it in your speaking or writing, it looks very impressive. Verbs in the subjunctive have their own endings, just like other tenses: PRESENTFUTURESUBJUNCTIVE je suisje seraije sois tu estu serastu sois Il/elle estIl/elle seraIl/elle soit nous sommesnous seronsnous soyons vous êtesvous serezvous soyez Ils/elles sontils serontIls soient

The subjunctive mood There really is no point learning all the new endings but it is good to learn a few set phrases for your coursework or speaking Remember, the subjunctive is used after a few set phrases that imply doubt, desire or ordering someone to do something. In French such phrases usually involve ‘que’ PHRASEMEANINGEXAMPLE Bien queAlthoughBien que je sache que c’est ridicule Il faut queIt is necessary thatIl faut que les jeunes regardent moins de télé vouloir queto want thatJe voudrais que ma soeur vienne au cinéma Il est possible queIt’s possible thatIl est possible que je lise le livre avant décembre Pour queSo thatElle a acheté un DVD à disque dur pour que nous puissions enregistrer des émissions de la télé These are not the only phrases that introduce the subjunctive, but they are the most common.

The subjunctive mood PHRASEMEANINGEXAMPLE Bien queAlthoughBien que je sache que c’est ridicule Il faut queIt is necessary thatIl faut que les jeunes regardent moins de télé vouloir queto want thatJe voudrais que ma soeur vienne au cinéma Il est possible queIt’s possible thatIl est possible que je lise le livre avant décembre Pour queSo thatElle a acheté un DVD à disque dur pour que nous puissions enregistrer des émissions de la télé You may also have noticed that sometimes the verb in the subjunctive is odd and almost unrecognisable (je sache = I know) and at other times the same as normal (regardent = they watch) This is because regular –er verbs don’t change much in the subjunctive form. You take the ils/elles form in the present tense and add the following endings: Je regardeNous regardions Tu regardesVous regardiez Il / elle regardeIls / elles regardent

The best way for you to use the subjunctive is to learn some set phrases: 1)It’s necessary for me to go out more often 2)Although I watch a lot of television 3)My mum wants me to stay at home 4)It’s possible that I can buy an X-Box 360 TIPS: Je sorte – I go out (subjunctive) Je puisse – I can (subjunctive) Even if you don’t use the subjunctive you can usually recognise it because it will be after a phrase introduced by ‘que’ and may involve a verb in a form that you don’t recognise e.g. Bien qu’elle ait une télévision dans sa chambre

You can also use the subjunctive as an auxiliary in a past tense, e.g. Bien qu’elle soit allée au cinéma la semaine dernière, elle n’y va pas normalement Bien que j’ais acheté une télévision pour ma chambre, je ne la regarde jamais

GenreHéros / héroïne (2 détails) Opinion (1-2 détails) 1 Roman d’aventuresJeune garçon part à la mer, voyage autour du monde avec bande de pirates C’est triste à la fin 2 Une bande dessinéeSympa, mais qui était un peu bête Génial Elle le recommande à tous 3 Un roman policierPhilip Marlowe Super cool Beaucoup aimé 4 Histoire de guerreExtra-terrestre comique Très intéressant

GenreHéros / héroïne (2 détails) Opinion (1-2 détails)