The Subjonctif in French: Don’t Panic, It’s Easier Than You Think!

by | Aug 8, 2025 | Blog, French Learning Tips, How to Learn French

t’s face it: the word subjonctif scares a lot of French learners. The moment it pops up, many people freeze or feel overwhelmed.

But here’s the truth:
 👉 You don’t need to memorize 100 rules.
 👉 You just need to start with a few key triggers and build from there.

The goal is not perfection. The goal is progress.

 What Is the Subjonctif?

The subjonctif is a verb mood (not a tense) used to express emotions, wishes, doubts, uncertainty, obligations, fears, and anything that is not 100% factual.

It’s not there to confuse you, it’s there to help you sound more natural and nuanced, especially when discussing deeper opinions on topics like society, the environment, politics, etc.

 Start with a Few Common Triggers

Here are a few common phrases that often require the subjunctive. These are your “starter pack” triggers:

  • Il faut que = It is necessary that
     ➤ Il faut que nous agissions maintenant pour sauver la planète.
     (We must act now to save the planet.)

  • Bien que / quoique = Although
     ➤ Bien que le gouvernement ait promis des réformes, la situation reste critique.
     (Although the government promised reforms, the situation remains critical.)

  • Pour que = So that / in order that
     ➤ Les lois doivent être claires pour que tout le monde les comprenne.
     (Laws must be clear so that everyone understands them.)

  • Je veux que / je souhaite que / j’aimerais que = I want/wish that
     ➤ Je souhaite que les mentalités changent.
     (I wish that mindsets would change.)

 Using the Subjonctif in Real Themes

Let’s now apply the subjunctive to real-world, exam-friendly topics like those you’d find in the DELF B1/B2, TEF, or TCF Canada exams.

🌍 Environment

➡ Il est essentiel que chacun fasse un effort pour recycler.
 (It’s essential that everyone makes an effort to recycle.)
➡ Bien que les scientifiques soient inquiets, beaucoup de gens ne réagissent pas.
 (Although scientists are worried, many people don’t react.)

👥 Society

➡ Je veux que les jeunes aient les mêmes opportunités partout dans le monde.
 (I want young people to have the same opportunities everywhere.)
➡ Il faut que le gouvernement protège les minorités.
 (The government must protect minorities.)

🌐 Technology

➡ Je crains que l’intelligence artificielle ne remplace trop d’emplois.
 (I fear that artificial intelligence may replace too many jobs.)
 ➡ Bien que les réseaux sociaux aient des avantages, ils peuvent aussi nuire à la santé mentale.
 (Although social media has advantages, it can also harm mental health.)

💼 Work and Economy

➡ Il est important que les employés soient respectés.
 (It’s important that employees are respected.)
 ➡ Pour que l’économie se développe, il faut soutenir les petites entreprises.
 (In order for the economy to grow, small businesses must be supported.)

 But What If I Make Mistakes?

Here’s the most important part: It’s okay to mess up!

You will sometimes forget to use the subjunctive.
You will sometimes use it where you shouldn’t.
You will sometimes forget the endings.
And you’ll still be doing great!

That’s how we learn. What matters most is noticing the triggers and trying to use them in context.

  • Practice with short, real sentences.
  • Focus on common situations.
  • Be okay with being imperfect.

 Quick Tips to Learn the Subjonctif Naturally

  1. Learn 5 to 6 high-frequency triggers (like il faut que, je veux que, bien que, Il est grand temps que)
  2. Use them in real sentences when talking or writing
  3. Don’t aim for 100% accuracy, aim for 60% and improve over time
  4. Surround yourself with input: read articles, listen to news clips, and observe how native speakers use it

 And finally,

The subjunctive isn’t some scary grammar monster. It’s just another way to express yourself more deeply in French. You don’t need to master everything at once.

Start with the basics. Make a few mistakes. Keep going.

And if you ever need support to make it easier, I’ve got your back!

 Learn with LingoRelic

Want to use the subjunctive confidently in your exams and real conversations? Here’s our complete course on French Subjunctive (Present and Past), that you can use to study this concept like never before!: Click here: https://lingorelic.com/product/french-subjunctive/

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