When should I use the subjunctive?

It can be difficult to decide when to use the subjunctive tense, however there are certain conditions and phrases which trigger the subjunctive, and when you can recognise these, the subjunctive becomes much less intimidating.

• POSSIBILITY If an event is likely to occur, it is introduced by the indicative, but when it is unlikely to occur, the subjunctive is required. Il est peu probable qu'il vienne.

* JUDGEMENT Opinions do not require the subjunctive ( je trouve que), but when a judgement is passed (je trouve bien / affreux que), it is necessary. Je suis heureuse qu'il vienne demain.

* THINKING Verbs of thinking and believing require the subjunctive only in the negative. Je ne pense pas qu'il soit agréable.

* DESIRE Expressions that convey needs, desires and orders require the subjunctive (e.g. aimer mieux que / il est nécessaire que / ordonner que). Je voudrais qu'il vienne ce soir.

* CONJUNCTIONS The subjunctive is used with many, but not all, conjunctions with 'que'.  Common examples are: - afin que, avant que, pour que, quoique, sans que, bien que Bien que nous aimions la musique, elle ne veut pas jouer.