French exercises / B2 / Verbs & tensesSpot the trigger, then pick subjonctif or indicatif.
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Subjonctif vs indicatif
The indicative states what is; the subjunctive appears when the sentence is not reporting a fact but reacting to one: wanting, doubting, fearing, judging. It is almost always set off by a specific expression followed by que, so the practical skill is recognising triggers rather than weighing moods.
Read the full explanationThe French subjunctive
The subjunctive is a mood, not a tense, and it is triggered rather than chosen: a fixed set of expressions followed by que force it. Build it from the ils form of the present, and learn ten irregulars. In practice only the present subjunctive is needed to speak French well.
Read the full explanationSubjonctif présent: worked examples
Five from the set, with the answer filled in and the rule that decides it.
- 01
Il faut que tu sois à l'heure demain matin.
il faut que always takes the subjonctif: que je sois, que tu sois.
- 02
Je veux que vous ayez le temps de réfléchir.
vouloir que + subjonctif; avoir is irregular: que j'aie, que vous ayez.
- 03
Il est important qu'elle aille chez le médecin.
il est important que expresses a need, not a fact → subjonctif.
- 04
Bien qu'il fasse froid, nous sortons quand même.
bien que concedes something; it takes the subjonctif even about a fact.
- 05
Je suis content que tu puisses venir samedi.
Feelings (content, triste, désolé) que + subjonctif.