When should I use the subjonctif?

The subjunctive is a tricky part of the french language, one that often confuses students.

There are several cases in which it is used:

- when you express a desire, a will, an order (e.g. Je veux que tu...). But NOT after espérer 

- when you have to do something, so for example express something with the phrase "il faut que" 

- To express a possibility, uncertainty or doubt (e.g. Je ne suis pas sure..., c'est possible que...) 

- after certain impersonal expressions (e.g. Il est important que..., il est logique que..., il est possible que...) 

- after certain conjunctions (e.g. pour que, afin que) 

- to express a negated opinion (e.g. je ne crois pas que + Subjonctif, BUT Je crois que + Indicatif, je ne trouve pas que + subjonctif, BUT je trouve que + Indicatif) 

SK
Answered by Susanne K. French tutor

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