Subjonctif in French

1. FRE 251

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Will & Desire: The subjunctive is used in
dependent clauses after expressions of will and
desire whenever there are two different
subjects in the two clauses linked by the
subordinating conjunction que.
Emotion: The subjunctive is used after
expressions of emotion and opinion.
Remember that the subjunctive is found in the
subordinate clause of sentences that contain a
change of subject from the main clause to the
subordinate clause.

3. 
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Opinion: impersonal expressions of opinion.
Remember that impersonal expressions always
have 'il' as the subject.
One Subject: If expressions of emotion or
opinion have only one subject throughout the
sentence, then the preposition de + infinitive
replaces que + subjunctive (See ways to avoid
the subjunctive).

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aimer que, to like that ...
(J’aimeraiquetufassestes
devoirs)
préférerque, to prefer
that ...
aimer mieuxque, to
prefer that ...
attendreque, to wait,
expect that ...
désirerque, to desire
that ...
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exigerque, to require
that ...
souhaiterque, to hope
that ...
vouloirque, to want that
...
vouloirbienque, to be
willing that ...
Note however that
espérer (to hope) is an
exception and is
followed by the
indicative.

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1. Kathryn wants Patrick to do the dishes.
Kathryn veutquePatrick fassela vaiselle.
2. Paul and John prefer that we drive the car.
Paul et Jean préfèrentquenous conduisionsla
voiture.
3. She tells me that I do the dishes.
Elle me ditque je faisla vaiselle.
4. You (plur) want that they (fem) go in Monaco?
Vousvoulezqu’ellesaillentà Monaco?
5. We hope that you will be there.
Nous espéronsquevousserezlà.

6. 
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êtrecontent(e) que, to be
happy that
êtreimpatient(e) que, to be
impatient that
êtreheureux(/se) que, to
be happy that
êtredésolé(e) que, to be
sorry that
êtreravi(e) que, to
delighted that
regretterque, to regret that
se réjouirque, to rejoice,
celebrate that
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êtremécontent(e) que, to
be unhappy that
craindreque, to fear that
êtremalheureux(/se) que,
to be unhappy that
redouterque, to fear that
êtretristeque, to be sad
that
avoirpeurque, to fear that
êtresurpris(e) que, to be
surprised that
êtreétonné(e) que, to be
surprised that

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1. I fear (craindre) that the exam is hard.
Je crainsquel’examensoitdifficile.
2. He is happy that you are coming!
Il estheureuxquetuviennes!
3. We are delighted that the coffee has cream.
Nous sommesravisquele café aitde la crème.
4. I know that the cat is black
Je sais que le chat estnoir.
5. We (fem) are sorry that you cannot come
Nous sommesdésoléesquetu ne puissespas venir.

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6. Are you surprised that Alain sleeps?
Es-tusurpris(e) qu’Alaindorme?
7. Beatrix regrets that you (plur) do not want to
pay.
Béatriceregrettequevous ne vouliezpas payer.
8. We are sad that Obama finishes his mandate
Nous sommestristes qu’Obamafinisseson
mandat.
9. They rejoice that Christ comes back.
Ils se réjouissentqueChrist revienne.