Dependent clauses and the subjunctive mood
Dependent clauses may include a verb in the subjunctive mood for several reasons: A verb, an adjective, an impersonal expression in the main clause, and a subordinating conjunction introducing the dependent clause may all require the subjunctive mood. All of these dependent clauses are introduced by the simple conjunction queor by a complex conjunction that includesque.
A verb or adjective in the main clause governs the subjunctive mood in a dependent clause
The verbs or adjectives that govern the subjunctive mood convey a meaning of subjectivity, uncertainty, or improbability.
Verbs of want, desire, feeling, emotion, and doubt govern the subjunctive mood
Three categories of verbs, whenever found in the main clause, require the subjunctive mood in the dependent clause as long as the dependent verb is different from the main verb. These three verb categories are those that express want or desire, feelings and emotions, or doubt. Here are some commonly used verbs that require the subjunctive mood in the dependent clause:
Beware that the verb douter in the affirmative form is followed by the subjunctive, but in the negative form (Je ne doute pas), it conveys certainty and therefore is followed by the indicative.
On the other hand, note that in the following sentences, the verbs penser, croire, and espérer are followed by the subjunctive only when they are in the negative or interrogative forms. This is because in the negative and interrogative forms, these verbs express uncertainty.
Note that, in each of the previous examples, the French dependent clause is introduced by the conjunction que. In English this conjunction is translated as that but may be omitted (note that it has been omitted in the some of the English example sentences).
In addition, because English makes very little use of the subjunctive mood, it is often inadvisable to translate literally a French dependent clause that includes the subjunctive. Note how, in the following examples, the French sentences consist of a main clause followed by a dependent clause including the subjunctive, while the English uses a main clause followed by an infinitive:
Now consider the following sentences and note that if the subjects of the two verbs are the same, in English and in French sentences alike, the infinitive replaces the subjunctive. (For more on infinitive clauses, see Unit 10.)
Write the letter of the word that best fits each blank to see what Joanne’s problem is. You may use an answer more than once.
a. doute / b. défend / c. voudrais / d. souhaite / e. permet
1. Je __________ me servir de mon ordinateur pour chatter en ligne.
2. Mais ma mère __________ que je m’en serve en son absence.
3. Elle __________ quand même que je fasse des recherches pour mes devoirs sur l’ordinateur.
4. Moi, je __________ que ma mère me fasse un peu plus confiance.
5. Est-ce qu’elle __________ que je sois assez mature pour savoir ce qu’on peut ou ne peut pas faire en ligne?
6. Je __________ qu’elle me donne un peu plus de liberté!
Choose the appropriate answer (indicative or subjunctive) from the two choices given for each sentence and write it on the line provided.
1. Maman, Papa, croyez-vous que je _______________________ aller seule au concert samedi soir?(peux / puisse)
2. Non, Joanne! Nous pensons que tu _______________________ encore trop jeune. (es / sois)
3. Oh! Je suis vraiment déçue que vous me _______________________ trop jeune! (trouvez / trouviez)
4. Mais enfin, Joanne! Tu n’as que quinze ans. Nous espérons que tu te _______________________ compte qu’il y a des dangers autour de toi. (rends / rendes)
5. Mais comment espérez-vous que je _______________________ si on ne me laisse rien faire? (grandis / grandisse)
6. Franchement, Joanne! Je crois que tu _______________________ l’occasion de faire beaucoup de choses intéressantes tous les jours. (as / aies)
Combine the sentence fragments to write a logical paragraph. Add appropriate punctuation and capitalization.
1. est-ce que / quel âge / que grand-maman a / tu crois
2. tu penses / Ah bon / qu’elle a / soixante ans
3. elle ait / en tout cas / plus de soixante ans / je doute qu’
4. où elle trouve / on se demande / toute cette énergie
5. encore / qu’elle vive / je souhaite / de cette manière / pendant longtemps
6. qu’elle puisse / j’admire / faire / ce qu’elle fait / tout
1. ______________________________________________________________
2. ______________________________________________________________
3. ______________________________________________________________
4. ______________________________________________________________
5. ______________________________________________________________
6. ______________________________________________________________
Third person imperative clauses require the subjunctive mood
These dependent clauses serve to express a wish, an order, or an instruction to a third party. The entire main clause is omitted and implied. If there were a main clause, it would include one of the verbs expressing want,desire,order,need,andpermission previously mentioned.
Complete each sentence by writing the verb in parentheses in the present subjunctive.
1. Long live the king! _______________________ le roi! (vivre)
2. Let him answer for himself! Qu’il _______________________ lui-même! (répondre)
3. I don’t want to have that question asked again! Qu’on ne me _______________________ plus cette question! (poser)
4. Let the clients come in! Que les clients ______________________________! (entrer)
5. Let them finish their walk! Qu’elles _______________________ leur promenade! (finir)
6. Make her stop! Qu’elle ______________________________! (s’arrêter)
Adjectives of feeling and emotion govern the subjunctive in a dependent clause
There are many adjectives that express emotions and feelings such as fear, happiness, anger, regret, and surprise. These are intrinsically subjective as they are personal by nature. Adjectives that are used in their superlative form (e.g. the nicest, the best) also tend to be subjective because they are based on a personal judgment. These adjectives require or suggest the use of the subjunctive mood in the dependent clause.
Simple adjectives of emotion and feeling
Adjectives expressing feelings or emotions such as triste (sad), ému (moved), or ravi (delighted), whenever they are found in the main clause, require the use of the subjunctive in a dependent clause if the subject of the dependent verb is different from the main verb.
In the following examples, note once again that, in French and English alike, if the subjects of the two verbs are the same, the infinitive verb (in the following examples: partir, rentrer, voir, and trouver) replaces the subjunctive. Also note that, in this case, the preposition de precedes the French infinitive verb.
Now consider the following similar examples. The French dependent clause still includes an infinitive (voir, ne pas pouvoir) or past infinitive (avoir fait, avoir perdu) instead of a verb in the subjunctive because the subjects of the two verbs in the main and dependent clauses are the same. However, the English dependent clause repeats the subject from the main clause and includes a conjugated verb.
Translate each sentence into English to find out what Monique tells her husband.
1. Je suis si heureuse que tu sois là, Jean.
2. Je m’inquiétais que tu ne puisses pas venir.
3. Je craignais que ton patron ne veuille pas te donner congé.
4. Tu es impressionné qu’il ait été si généreux, n’est-ce pas?
5. En tout cas, il vaut mieux que nous profitions bien de ce weekend.
6. Je doute que cela se reproduise!
Complete the sentences by translating into French the words in parentheses to find out what Monique’s husband is saying.
1. Le patron est content _______________________ prendre congé. (to see me)
2. Il était quelquefois inquiet _______________________ au travail jour et nuit. (to find me)
3. Il avait peur _______________________ trop de travail. (to give me)
4. Alors, Monique, tu es étonnée _______________________ cela, n’est-ce pas? (to hear)
5. Je suis ravi _______________________ passer le weekend chez tes parents. (to be able)
Superlative adjectives
Adjectives in the superlative form such as le meilleur/la meilleure (the best) or le plus beau/la plus belle (the most beautiful) as well as adjectives that convey a superlative meaning, such as seul (only),unique(unique),dernier(last),premier (first), whenever they are found in the main clause, may require the subjunctive mood in the relative clause. The mood you choose for the verb in your dependent clause will convey to your interlocutor that you are certain or not certain about your statement.
In this first example sentence, the verb in the dependent clause is in the indicative to convey the idea that I am quite sure that this is the best ice cream I ever ate.
In this second sentence, the verb in the dependent clause is in the subjunctive to convey the idea that this may be the best ice cream I ever ate (but I cannot be absolutely sure).
Both sentences included a superlative adjective (meilleure). In English the two sentences had the same translation. In the French sentences, however, you notice that either the indicative or the subjunctive was used in the dependent clause depending on whether the speaker wanted to convey certainty (indicative mood) or uncertainty (subjunctive mood).
In this example I am making a firm assertion:
In this second sentence I am hinting that this may be the only place where I can relax:
In this example I am making an assertion about the cat. I am quite sure there is no prettier one than this one:
In this second sentence, I am merely stating my opinion that this may be the prettiest cat I have ever seen:
Write C for certain or U for uncertain on the lines provided, depending on whether the speaker is certain or uncertain about each statement.
1. _________ C’est la première fois que j’irai en Martinique cet été.
2. _________ Je me demande si c’est une île aux Antilles qui vaille d’être visitée.
3. _________ Je crois que ce sera une expérience mémorable.
4. _________ Le meilleur plat antillais que je connaisse c’est les boulettes de farine.
5. _________ Je dois dire que la plus belle des trois îles antillaises que j’ai vues jusqu’à présent, c’est la Guadeloupe.
6. _________ Et les plus belles des fleurs que j’ai jamais vues, c’étaient vraiment celles que j’ai vues là-bas.
Put the verbs within parentheses in the subjunctive or the indicative according to whether what Mariette says is a fact or an opinion.
1. Hier soir, c’est la première fois que je _______________________ à un ballet. (aller)
2. La ballerine-étoile était la plus jolie danseuse que vous _______________________ imaginer. (pouvoir)
3. La seule ville où je _______________________ vivre, c’est Paris. (vouloir)
4. C’est la plus belle de toutes les villes que j’ _______________________ visitées. (avoir)
5. Je pense que la Tour Eiffel est la plus haute tour qu’on _______________________ jamais construite. (avoir)
Impersonal expressions govern the subjunctive mood in the dependent clause
Impersonal expressions conveying necessity such as Il faut(It is necessary), opinions or value judgments such as Il est juste (It is just), expressions of possibility or improbability such as Il se peut (It is possible), whenever they are found in the main clause, will require the use of the subjunctive in the dependent clause. Here is a list of such commonly used expressions:
Some expressions or verbs, when in the affirmative, require the indicative in the dependent clause because they express certainty or probability. However, when they are in the negative or interrogative form, they express uncertainty and therefore require the subjunctive. Some of these verbs and expressions are as follows:
Note that in the following sentences, there is certainty, therefore the verbs in the dependent clauses are in the indicative mood.
Now consider the following sentences, which express doubt or uncertainty. Note that the verbs in the independent clauses are in the subjunctive mood.
Now consider the next examples and note that the word order in the English sentences is quite different from the word order in the French sentences. Also note that the translation from French into English is not literal. This is due to the fact that impersonal expressions such as Il faut (It is necessary)and Il vaudrait mieux(It would be better),which are commonly used in French, are awkward when translated literally into English.
If the subject of the verbs in the dependent clause is indefinite as in the following examples, you may use the preposition de and an infinitive verb instead of the subjunctive.
Translate the following sentences into English.
1. Il vaut mieux qu’on jouisse de la vie.
2. Il faudra qu’on sauve la planète.
3. Il semble qu’on vive avec de plus en plus de technologie.
4. Il est naturel qu’on veuille être heureux.
5. Il est rare qu’on n’ait pas de désastre naturel quelque part.
6. Il est urgent qu’on ralentisse la pollution.
7. Il est possible qu’on invente de nouvelles technologies.
8. Il n’est pas possible qu’on puisse faire cela en un jour.
Rewrite the sentences from Exercice 8-9 using infinitive verbs instead of the subjunctive. Follow the example.
EXAMPLE: 1. Il vaut mieux jouir de la vie.
2. _____________________________________________________________________
3. _____________________________________________________________________
4. _____________________________________________________________________
5. _____________________________________________________________________
6. _____________________________________________________________________
7. _____________________________________________________________________
8. _____________________________________________________________________
Subordinating conjunctions govern the subjunctive mood in the dependent clause
Dependent clauses can be introduced by a variety of subordinating conjunctions. These establish a relationship based on restriction, opposition, purpose, fear, or time between the main and dependent clauses. The following is a list of commonly used subordinating conjunctions:
Note that in the last few examples, the expletive ne/n’ precedes the verb in the dependent clause. The word expletive comes from the Latin verb explere (to fill). This ne is not to be interpreted as a negative term but rather as an extension of conjunctions such as de peur que, avant que, bien que. Many French subordinating conjunctions are accompanied by this expletive. It has no translation in English.
Indefinite conjunctions govern the subjunctive mood in the dependent clause
A number of indefinite conjunctions or phrases require the subjunctive in the clauses they introduce. Consider the following examples:
Use a conjunction to complete each sentence.
1. Marie paie des leçons particulières à son fils _______________________ il réussisse en mathématiques.
2. Elle préfère l’aider maintenant _______________________ il ne soit trop tard.
3. Elle a embauché un jeune homme très intelligent _______________________ il lui coûte très cher.
4. Elle veut bien payer très cher _______________________ son fils fasse des progrès.
5. Son fils travaille très dur _______________________ sa mère ne soit pas déçue.
6. Il va continuer de faire des efforts _______________________ les résultats soient meilleurs.
Complete each sentence with quelque, quoi, qui, or où. Then translate the sentence into English.
1. ______________________________ que tu fasses, sois honnête!
2. ______________________________ soit ta faute, tu peux toujours te faire pardonner!
3. ______________________________ que ce soit à la porte, laisse la personne entrer!
4. ______________________________ que tu ailles, n’oublie pas de téléphoner!
5. ______________________________ fatigué que tu sois, mange quelque chose avant de te coucher!
Some verbs, pronouns, and adjectives govern the subjunctive mood in the relative clause
We have previously seen dependent clauses introduced by the relative pronouns qui, que, dont, and où. The verb in those dependent clauses was in various tenses of the indicative mood. However, in some cases, the verb in the dependent relative clause must be in the subjunctive mood because of the type of verb found in the main clause.
Verbs expressing will, want, need, and advice in the main clause
Verbs such as chercher (to look for), vouloir (to want), and avoir besoin de (to need) as well as the verb connaître (to know) in the interrogative form, and the expression y a-t-il(is there/are there), whenever they introduce relative clauses, may require the use of the subjunctive mood in the relative clause because of the uncertain outcome they predict.
Compare the previous sentences to the following ones. You will notice that in the previous set of sentences, the speaker feels and conveys that expectations may or may not be met. In the following sentences, however, the speaker is confident that expectations are realistic and can be met.
Negative indefinite pronouns and adjectives govern the subjunctive mood in a relative clause
Negative pronouns such as personne (nobody) and rien(nothing)as well asindefinite pronouns or adjectives such as aucun/nul (no)tend to indicate uncertainty about whether the noun exists. Therefore the subjunctive may be needed in the dependent clause.
Translate the underlined main clause of each sentence into French.
1. Un coucher du soleil à Key West, ______________________________ qui puisse y résister.
(A sunset in Key West, I do not know anyone who can resist it.)
2. ______________________________ qui soit plus beau que cela.
(I cannot imagine anything that is more beautiful than that.)
3. ______________________________ qui ait aimé cet endroit plus qu’Hemingway.
(I do not know any writer who loved this place more than Hemingway.)
4. ______________________________ qui veuille bien m’emmener en bateau.
(I am looking for someone who is willing to take me out on his boat.)