Present subjunctive basics
French often uses the subjunctive after expressions of necessity, emotion, doubt, or judgment.
Examples
FrenchTranslation
Il faut que tu viennes tôt.
You have to come early.
Je suis content que vous soyez là.
I am glad that you are here.
Je doute qu’il comprenne.
I doubt that he understands.
Pattern
trigger + que + subjunctive
How it works
French often uses the subjunctive after expressions of necessity, emotion, doubt, or judgment. This pattern typically appears as trigger + que + subjunctive and becomes easier when you meet it again in short, readable examples.
What to notice
- The subjunctive often appears after que in non-factual or attitude-heavy contexts.
- It reflects stance and judgment more than simple time.
Why it matters
Handle opinion, softer tone, and slightly more abstract meaning.
Use in context
At B1, the goal is to recognize the most common environments rather than memorize every trigger at once.