What is the subjunctive and when should I use it?

The subjunctive is a grammatical mood which expresses subjectivity, uncertainty, emotion, and hypothetical scenarios. Unlike the indicative mood which is used affirmatively - 'je pense que c'est chouette !' (I think that it's great!) - the subjunctive mood conveys more of a nuanced expression of emotion or doubt: 'j'ai peur qu'il ne* puisse me voir' (I'm afraid that he might see me). *Note, this clause type triggers the ne explétif. The subjunctive tense is triggered by 'que' or sometimes 'qui'. It comes after the following clause types:Desire/order, e.g. 'Je veux que tu viennes' (I want you to come)Judgement/feeling, e.g. 'J'adore qu'elle ne soit si intelligente' (I love how clever she is)Opinions/doubts, e.g. 'Il est possible qu'elle parte' (It's possible that she is leaving)Conjunctions (often cause and effect), e.g. '...afin qu'ils puissent m'entendre' (so that they can hear me)Note that 'de' always triggers the infinitive: 'afin de me voir' (in order to see me)We use the subjunctive in English too!It is important that you be thereIf I were richer, I would buy hundreds of cactus plants.