The French Subjunctive: Emotion, Doubt, and Necessity

What you will go through

1. 1
   1 Step 1 of 9 ·2 min Read the Speaker’s Stance Learn to read French mood as the speaker’s stance toward a proposition, rather than as a test of whether the proposition is true.
2. 2
   2 Step 2 of 9 ·4 min Express Emotion Without Changing the Facts Use the subjunctive for emotional reactions while recognizing that a formal expletive ne after a fear expression does not negate the feared event.
3. 3
   3 Step 3 of 9 ·3 min Distinguish Doubt from Asserted Certainty Choose the subjunctive after explicit doubt or neutral uncertainty, and the indicative after affirmative certainty.
4. 4
   4 Step 4 of 9 ·4 min State Requirements Precisely Use present-subjunctive requirement clauses and distinguish a prohibition from an action that is merely optional.
5. 5
   5 Step 5 of 9 ·3 min Choose an Infinitive or a Que Clause Choose between infinitive and que-clause structures by tracking who feels, requests, and performs the action.
6. 6
   6 Step 6 of 9 ·4 min Handle Negated Beliefs and Questions Interpret negated and interrogative belief expressions by identifying the speaker’s level of commitment and communicative purpose.
7. 7
   7 Step 7 of 9 ·3 min Distinguish Similar Expressions Learn why related French expressions can require different moods by distinguishing expectation from wish and doubt from suspicion.
8. 8
   8 Step 8 of 9 ·4 min Place the Subjunctive Event in Time Choose the present or past subjunctive by locating the subordinate event in time relative to a governing situation or deadline.
9. 9
   9 Step 9 of 9 ·6 min Apply and Review: Write a Nuanced Message Apply the full decision process to edit and write a precise French project message.