3.7: Grammaire
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\(\newcommand{\avec}{\mathbf a}\) \(\newcommand{\bvec}{\mathbf b}\) \(\newcommand{\cvec}{\mathbf c}\) \(\newcommand{\dvec}{\mathbf d}\) \(\newcommand{\dtil}{\widetilde{\mathbf d}}\) \(\newcommand{\evec}{\mathbf e}\) \(\newcommand{\fvec}{\mathbf f}\) \(\newcommand{\nvec}{\mathbf n}\) \(\newcommand{\pvec}{\mathbf p}\) \(\newcommand{\qvec}{\mathbf q}\) \(\newcommand{\svec}{\mathbf s}\) \(\newcommand{\tvec}{\mathbf t}\) \(\newcommand{\uvec}{\mathbf u}\) \(\newcommand{\vvec}{\mathbf v}\) \(\newcommand{\wvec}{\mathbf w}\) \(\newcommand{\xvec}{\mathbf x}\) \(\newcommand{\yvec}{\mathbf y}\) \(\newcommand{\zvec}{\mathbf z}\) \(\newcommand{\rvec}{\mathbf r}\) \(\newcommand{\mvec}{\mathbf m}\) \(\newcommand{\zerovec}{\mathbf 0}\) \(\newcommand{\onevec}{\mathbf 1}\) \(\newcommand{\real}{\mathbb R}\) \(\newcommand{\twovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\ctwovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\threevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cthreevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\mattwo}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{rr}#1 \amp #2 \\ #3 \amp #4 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\laspan}[1]{\text{Span}\{#1\}}\) \(\newcommand{\bcal}{\cal B}\) \(\newcommand{\ccal}{\cal C}\) \(\newcommand{\scal}{\cal S}\) \(\newcommand{\wcal}{\cal W}\) \(\newcommand{\ecal}{\cal E}\) \(\newcommand{\coords}[2]{\left\{#1\right\}_{#2}}\) \(\newcommand{\gray}[1]{\color{gray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\lgray}[1]{\color{lightgray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\rank}{\operatorname{rank}}\) \(\newcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\col}{\text{Col}}\) \(\renewcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\nul}{\text{Nul}}\) \(\newcommand{\var}{\text{Var}}\) \(\newcommand{\corr}{\text{corr}}\) \(\newcommand{\len}[1]{\left|#1\right|}\) \(\newcommand{\bbar}{\overline{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bhat}{\widehat{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bperp}{\bvec^\perp}\) \(\newcommand{\xhat}{\widehat{\xvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\vhat}{\widehat{\vvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\uhat}{\widehat{\uvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\what}{\widehat{\wvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\Sighat}{\widehat{\Sigma}}\) \(\newcommand{\lt}{<}\) \(\newcommand{\gt}{>}\) \(\newcommand{\amp}{&}\) \(\definecolor{fillinmathshade}{gray}{0.9}\)The choice of mood indicates the speaker's degree of uncertainty: subjunctive implies the speaker doubts the existence or possibility of what is being described; indicative implies the speaker believes or is certain that what is being described is possible or does exist.
The subjunctive occurs in dependent clauses introduced by verbs and expressions of doubt or uncertainty whenever there are two different subjects in the two clauses linked by the subordinating conjunction que.
Example: Je doute que les étudiants fassent leurs devoirs tous les jours.
| il est possible que, it is possible that |
| il est impossible que, it is impossible that |
| il est incroyable que, it is unbelievable that |
| il est douteux que, it is doubtful that |
| douter que, to doubt that |
Shasta doute que Blanche Neige et la Belle au bois dormant (être) sportives.
- Answer
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soient
Doubt is commonly expressed by questioning (with inversion) or negating a statement.
The following expressions imply certainty, so when they are used in affirmative statements, they are followed by the indicative.
However, when these expressions are used in either the interrogative or the negative, doubt is introduced. Consequently, in the subordinate clause, the subjunctive is used. On the other hand, when expressions of doubt are negated, they indicate certainty and thus are followed by the indicative: Je ne doute pas que Shasta est un sportif excellent (I do not doubt that Shasta is an excellent sportsman = I am certain that ...).
| croire que, to believe that |
| penser que,to think that |
| être sûr que, to be sure that |
| trouver que, to find that |
| se douter que, to suspect that |
| supposer que, to suppose that |
| avoir l'impression que, to have the impression that |
| il est vrai que, it is true that |
| il paraît que, it appears that |
| il est probable que, it is probable that |
| il (me) semble que, it seems (to me) that |
| il est clair que, it is clear that |
| il est évident que, it is evident that |
| il est certain que, it is certain that |
1. Il est clair que le français (être) la plus belle langue. 2. Penses-tu que notre équipe (pouvoir) gagner ?
- Answer
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1. est 2. puisse
When relatives clauses express uncertainty, they also trigger the use of the subjunctive. If the existence of the antecedent, or referent, is not certain, then the subjunctive is used to highlight this uncertainty. On the other hand, if the existence or possibility of the antecedent is likely and/or definite, then the doubt is removed and the indicative is used.
Example: Je cherche un chien qui est loyal. (the existance of an antecedent is likely)
vs.
Existe-t-il un chat qui ne soit pas égoïste ? (the existence of an antecedent is unlikely)
The use of superlative can influences the choice between the subjunctive and the indicative. The subjunctive is used after superlative expressions that contain a subjective opinion. On the other hand, if the superlative expression contains a fact or a completely objective opinion, then the indicative is used since the idea is devoid of any sort of doubt.
The following list contains a group of common expressions that are superlative-like in their use.
Example: Shasta est le plus beau puma que je connaisse.
| le seul, the only |
| l'unique, the only |
| il n'y a que, there is only |
| le dernier, the last |
| le premier, the first |
| le meilleur, the best |
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. Here is a list of common verbs expressing will and desire:
| aimer que, to like that ... | préférer que, to prefer that ... | |
| aimer mieux que, to prefer that ... | souhaiter que, to hope that ... | |
| attendre que, to wait, expect that ... | vouloir que, to want that ... | |
| désirer que, to desire that ... | vouloir bien que, to be willing that ... | |
| exiger que, to require that ... |
Note however that espérer (to hope) is an exception and is followed by the indicative: 'Shasta espère que les étudiants prépareront du couscous ce soir' (Shasta hopes that students will prepare couscous this evening). Remember that when there is only one subject, the conjugated verb is followed by an infinitive: 'Shasta ne veut pas faire la cuisine' (Shasta does not want to cook).
1. Shasta veut que l'étudiants de UH (réussir) dans leurs cours. 2. Nous espérons que nos cours (être) intéressants. 3. Les profs exigent que les étudiants (faire) les devoirs.
- Answer
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1. réussissent 2. sont 3. fassent
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. Here is a list of common expressions of emotion with which the subjunctive is found in the subordinate clause.
Example: Le prof craint que les étudiants ne viennent pas en classe.
| être content(e) que, to be happy that | être impatient(e) que, to be impatient that | |
| être heureux(/se) que, to be happy that | être désolé(e) que, to be sorry that | |
| être ravi(e) que, to delighted that | regretter que, to regret that | |
| être étonné(e) que, to be surprised that | se réjouir que, to rejoice, celebrate that | |
| être mécontent(e) que, to be unhappy that |
craindre que, to fear that | |
| être malheureux(/se) que, to be unhappy that |
redouter que, to fear that | |
| être triste que, to be sad that | avoir peur que, to fear that | |
| être surpris(e) que, to be surprised that |
Notice how there are two ways of translating these two sentences. Because the subjunctive is the tense for hypotheses and potentialities, it sometimes has a future meaning. Only the context will determine if the action in the subjunctive refers to the present or future time.
1. Astérix est content qu'Obélix (boire) beaucoup de potion magique. 2. Shasta est surpris que Blanche Neige (avoir) envie de faire du sport.
- Answer
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1. boive 2. ait
Here is a list of common impersonal expressions of opinion; there are many more such expressions since any adjective may be used. Remember that impersonal expressions always have 'il' as the subject. These expressions are followed by a dependent clause in the subjunctive.
| il est bon que, it is good that | il est utile que, it is useful that | |
| il est juste que, it is fair that | il est urgent que, it is urgent that | |
| il est dommage que, it is unfortunate that | il est logique que, it is logical that |
If expressions of emotion or opinion have only one subject throughout the sentence, then the preposition de + infinitive replaces que + subjunctive.
Example: Je suis heureux d'être étudiant de UH.
1. I am delighted to be with you. 2. I am delighted that your friend is with you.
- Answer
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1. Je suis ravi d'être avec toi / vous 2. Je suis ravi que ton / votre ami soit avec toi /vous.
This page is an adoptation of Francais Interactif. For more information, see the following links: