Using the subjunctive

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The subjunctive is used in French in a number of quite common circumstances. Generally speaking, the subjunctive is used in dependent clauses following expressions that imply doubt, emotion, subjectivity, or conjecture.
After many verbs expressing fear, doubt or negative feelings, and after avant que, the verb in the dependent clause is preceded by "ne" (the "ne explétif"); this is not a marker of negation.
See examples 2, 4 & 10 below.

The main uses of the subjunctive are:

► 1.  In complement clauses after Il faut que.....  Example: Il faut que tu viennes !
In this case, the subjunctive adds a note of uncertainty; even if the action is seen to be essential, the speaker - by saying il faut que - is admitting that there is some doubt.
Examples 1 & 2 below.

► 2. In complement clauses after some other verbs expressing doubt, opinion, hope, fear or another emotion.
Examples: Je doute qu'il soit là.  J'apprécies que tu sois là.  Je crains que nous ne soyons en retard.  Je regrette que tu ne me l'aies pas dit.
Examples 3 - 7 below.

► 3. In subordinate clauses following certain conjunctions expressing an aim or a condition:  afin que, de (telle) sorte que, pour que, bien que, quoique, pour autant que, malgré que, pourvu que, à condition que, de crainte que, avant que, après que and a few other less common conjunctions.
Examples 8 - 11 below.

► 4.  As a third person imperative: Example: Que personne ne bouge !
Example 12 below.

► 5.  In relative clauses after superlative adjectives and the adjectives premier, dernier and seul.
Examples 13 & 14 below.


► 6. Special case: verbs implying certainty in the affirmative, doubt in the negative.
Example:  penser

In the affirmative, the French verb penser expresses a firm opinion: the dependent clause does not therefore normally have a verb in the subjunctive.
     Examples: Je pense que je serai là.  Je pense qu'il est mort.
However, in the negative, penser implies uncertaintly, and this is commonly reflected in the use of the subjunctive tense in the dependent clause:
    Example: Je ne pense pas qu'il puisse le faire.  Je ne pense pas qu'il soit mort
Hovever, while this is considered good French, many speakers and writers in France would use an indicative tense, as in:
Je ne pense pas qu'il pourra le faire.  /  Je ne pense pas qu'il est mort.

Some similar verbs or expressions:
croire que, dire que (when expressing opinion)
être certain / sûr / exact / clair / vrai que,
vouloir dire que