Specific Uses of the Subjunctive
This section outlines a number of specific uses of the subjunctive mood. The subjunctive generally follows the following format: There is a main clause, which expresses doubt, desire, emotion, or opinion, followed by a subordinate clause, beginning with
I doubt you are coming. |
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She wants you to be happy. |
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You are happy that she is succeeding. |
For the subjunctive to be required, the subject of the main clause and the subordinate clause must be different. If the subject is the same, use the infinitive form of the verb instead.
If the main clause implies factual, certain information, then the subjunctive is not called for, and the indicative is used.
It is certain that you will succeed at your exams. |
Expressions of Emotion Using the Subjunctive
Emotive statements are inherently subjective; they describe something that the subject of the main clause is feeling. The element of doubt or subjectivity is present, because an emotion isn't considered fact.
Here are a number of expressions that can be used to convey emotion. When they are used with a subordinate clause that has a different subject from the main clause, the subjunctive is used.
to be pleased that |
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to be sorry that |
The subjunctive is not used when the two clauses share the same subject. If there is no change in subject between the main and subordinate clauses, an infinitive is used after the preposition
He is pleased to finish the book. |
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Are you angry at not passing this test? |
Expressions of Opinion Using the Subjunctive
Opinions are not, as a rule, subjective. They usually indicate the thoughts or beliefs of the subject of the main clause, which is a statement of fact, thus removing the element of subjectivity. But when opinions are used in the negative or in interrogative statements to ask a question, an element of doubt or subjectivity is introduced; therefore, the subjunctive is used in these constructions.
Remember that when a sentence is used interrogatively, the subjectivity of the statement is determined from the perspective of the subject of the main clause. This is why these expressions call for the subjunctive when used negatively or interrogatively; when you're asking these types of questions, you're introducing a subjective element, asking for another person's opinion. Watch for the following verbs, because whenever they are used in an interrogative or a negative construction, the subordinate clause uses the subjunctive mood:
I do not think that you are correct. |
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Do you believe that the ticket office is open? |
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Are you hoping he will win the lottery? |
When constructions of thought or opinion are used affirmatively, these sentences may still use the word
If the sentence is being used affirmatively, there is no doubt; it is simply a statement of belief. While it is indeed a statement of subjective belief, the subjective belief itself is a fact and is therefore conjugated in the indicative mood instead of the subjunctive:
I believe that you will leave tomorrow. |
Note that when either of the following expressions are used in the negative or as a question, they take the subjunctive. When used affirmatively, they take the indicative.
to be certain |
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to be sure |
Expressions of Doubt Using the Subjunctive
When either of the expressions
I doubt that you will talk to my mother. |
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He is doubtful that we will finish. |
If the doubt is expressed negatively, the indicative mood is used:
I don't doubt that you are intelligent. |
Expressions of Desire Using the Subjunctive
Expressions of desire can also be termed as expressions of will. They illustrate the wants or desires of the subject of the main clause, so if the subordinate clause has a different subject, the subjunctive mood is used. These verbs are commonly used in this construction: désirer (to desire),
He wants you to go with him. |
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I prefer that we speak with him. |
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Do you want me to do it? |
With certain verbs that involve granting permission or issuing an order, even though they express will, the subjunctive is not used. The following verbs are the ones to watch out for:
I am asking John to go to the store. |
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He told his son to do the shopping. |
This construction can seem a little backward to us, because we very seldom have the direct object used with a preposition in English.
The Subjunctive Used after Impersonal Expressions
There are certain impersonal expressions in French that always take the subjunctive. A few of the common ones are listed here:
it is necessary that |
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it is better that |
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it seems that |
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it's too bad that |
In this section, you learned about uses of the subjunctive. Listen to the CD for the pronunciation of some of the expressions you learned.
TRACK 73
