Lesson 17 Flashcards

Question

# Translate to French: He _demands that you be_ on time

Answer 1

Il _exige que tu sois_ à l'heure ## Footnote to demand (that) - *exiger (que)*. Since it conveys a command, *exiger que* requires the subjunctive.

Answer 2

Je _permets qu'il fasse_ à manger ## Footnote *Permettre que* requires the subjunctive.

Answer 3

Elle _suggère que_ nous _partions_ bientôt ## Footnote *Suggérer que* requires the subjunctive.

Answer 4

_Il est temps que_ nous le _fassions_ ## Footnote The expression *il est temps que* conveys a desire or suggestion, and therefore requires the subjunctive.

Answer 5

*_Il est important qu'_*il _parte_ ## Footnote The expression *il est important que* requires the subjunctive.

Answer 6

_Il vaut mieux que_ vous le _fassiez_ ## Footnote to be better - *valoir mieux*. The impersonal verb *valoir* is used in the expression *il vaut mieux que*, which means "it is better that" and which requires the subjunctive.

Answer 7

Il vaut mieux _ne pas y aller_ ## Footnote The impersonal expression *il vaut mieux* can be used with an infinitive, particularly when the opinion or statement expressed is a general one. No subjunctive conjugation is needed.

Answer 8

Nous _doutons que_ vous _mangiez_ ## Footnote The subjunctive is required following verbs or expressions of doubt, uncertainty, possibility, or opinion. Also note that there is no future subjunctive; the present subjunctive is used even when the action described would occur in the future.

Answer 9

_Il n'est pas certain que_ vous _étudiiez_ ## Footnote Because it conveys a sense of uncertainty, the expression *il n'est pas certain que* should be followed by the subjunctive.

Answer 10

_Il est impossible que_ tu _réussisses_ ## Footnote As an expression of possibility, *il est impossible que* requires the subjunctive. The opposite expression, *il est possible que*, also requires the subjunctive.

Answer 11

_Il est juste que_ vous le _fassiez_ ## Footnote As an expression of opinion, *il est juste que* should be followed by the subjunctive.

Answer 12

_Il semble qu'il soit_ heureux. _Il me semble qu'elle est_ contente ## Footnote The impersonal expression *il semble que* is followed by the subjunctive. When *sembler* is used impersonally with an indirect object pronoun, however, it takes the indicative instead.

Answer 13

_Il paraît impossible que_ nous _arrivions_ à l'heure ## Footnote When *il paraît* is used with an adjective, the following verb may need to be in the subjunctive. Here, the subjunctive is used because *il est impossible que* requires the subjunctive, which means that *il paraît impossible que* also requires it.

Answer 14

_Il ne paraît pas que tu puisses_ le faire ## Footnote *Il ne paraît pas que* requires the subjunctive.

Answer 15

Il _regrette que le projet ne soit_ pas prêt ## Footnote Verbs and expressions of emotion or feeling take the subjunctive. The feeling of regret is at play here.

Answer 16

J'_aime que_ Jean _soit_ si créatif ## Footnote As a verb of feeling, *aimer que* requires the subjunctive.

Answer 17

Il _est heureux que je puisse_ le voir ## Footnote *Être heureux que* requires the subjunctive.

Answer 18

Il _est triste qu'elle parte_ ## Footnote As an expression of feeling, *être triste que* requires the subjunctive.

Answer 19

J'_ai honte que_ vous ne nous _attendiez_ pas ## Footnote The expression *avoir honte que* takes the subjunctive.

Answer 20

_Il est bon que_ Marc _ait envie_ de travailler ## Footnote The construction *il est bon que* requires the subjunctive. Remember that if a verb or expression denotes an element of subjectivity, it is most likely followed by the subjunctive.

Answer 21

_Il est dommage que_ je ne _puisse_ pas le voir ## Footnote *Il est dommage que* conveys a feeling or opinion, and therefore requires the subjunctive. Note that you could also say *C'est dommage que...*

Answer 22

Il _croit que_ je _comprends_. Il _ne croit pas que_ je _comprenne_ ## Footnote Some verbs and expressions can take both the indicative and the subjunctive. When *croire que* is used in the affirmative, it takes the indicative. However, it is followed by the subjunctive when used negatively or interrogatively.

Answer 23

Je _pense que_ nous _allons_ oublier. Je _ne pense pas que_ nous _allions_ oublier ## Footnote Note how the indicative is used with the affirmative form of *penser*, since certainty is implied. However, the subjunctive is used with the negative form of *penser*, which conveys doubt.

Answer 24

*_Il est certain qu'_*il _sera_ ici ce soir. *_Il n'est pas certain qu'_*il _soit_ ici ce soir ## Footnote Note how the indicative is used with *il est certain que*, since it denotes certainty. The subjunctive is used with the negative *il n'est pas certain que*, since uncertainty is suggested.

Answer 25

*_Il est vrai qu'_*elle _sourit_. *_Il n'est pas vrai qu'_*elle _sourie_. *_Est-il vrai qu'_*elle _sourie?_ ## Footnote Used affirmatively, *il est vrai que* takes the indicative. Used negatively or in a question, it takes the subjunctive, as uncertainty is implied.

Answer 26

J'_espère que_ tu _viendras_. Je _n'espère pas que_ tu _viennes_ ## Footnote The affirmative form of *espérer que* takes the indicative, while the negative or interrogative forms take the subjunctive.

Answer 27

Elle *_a l'impression qu'_*il _est_ triste ## Footnote to have the impression that - *avoir l'impression que*. Note how this expression takes the indicative, not the subjunctive.

Answer 28

J'*_avoue qu'_*elle _est_ belle ## Footnote to admit, to confess - *avouer*. This verb takes the indicative, not the subjunctive.

Answer 29

Nous *_entendons qu'_*il _fait_ la lessive ## Footnote The construction *entendre que* takes the indicative, not the subjunctive. Another way of saying this (without the subjunctive) would be *Nous l'entendons faire la lessive*.

Answer 30

Nous avons _décider que_ ça _vaut_ le coup d'essayer ## Footnote *Décider que* takes the indicative. Also note the expression *valoir le coup*, "to be worth it/a shot."

Answer 31

Paul _ordonne que_ Maxime _vienne_ ## Footnote *Ordonner que* requires the subjunctive, since it denotes a command.

Answer 32

Tu *_écris qu'_*elle _veut_ un nouveau lit ## Footnote The verb *écrire* takes the indicative.

Answer 33

Tu *_dis qu'_*elle _sera_ ici. *_Dis-tu qu'_*elle _soit_ ici? ## Footnote The affirmative *dire que* takes the indicative. Meanwhile, both its negative and interrogative forms take the subjunctive.

Answer 34

_Il est probable que_ Sophie _sait_ la vérité. _Il n'est pas probable que_ Sophie _sache_ la vérité ## Footnote Since it conveys certainty, the affirmative *il est probable que* should be followed by the indicative. Used negatively (*il n'est pas probable que*) or in a question, it is followed by the subjunctive.

Answer 35

J'_oublie_ toujours _qu'il habite_ à New York ## Footnote *Oublier que* takes the indicative, not the subjunctive.

Answer 36

J'*_ai peur qu'_*il _ne vienne_ à la fête ## Footnote Note the use of the *ne explétif* here. Following certain verbs and expressions that require the subjunctive (like *avoir peur que*), the *ne explétif* is added before the subjunctive verb in the dependent clause. It is not actually negative in meaning.

Answer 37

Je _crains que_ Julie _ne revienne_ ## Footnote *Craindre que* requires both the subjunctive and the *ne explétif*. Also note that use of the *ne explétif* is relatively formal but technically and grammatically required.

Answer 38

Tu _empêches qu'il n'aille_ ## Footnote *Empêcher que* requires both the subjunctive and the *ne explétif*.

Answer 39

Il _a peur que_ je _ne sache_ le faire. Il _a peur que_ je _ne sache pas_ le faire ## Footnote In the second sentence, in which the dependent clause is actually meant to be negative, you simply use the regular *ne... pas*. Note the construction *savoir le faire* (rather than *savoir comment le faire*).

Answer 40

_Évite qu'ils n'aillent_ ## Footnote *Éviter que* requires both the subjunctive and the *ne explétif*.

Answer 41

Tu _nies que_ tu me _connaisses_. _Nies-tu que_ tu _ne_ me _connaisses?_ ## Footnote to deny that - *nier que*. This verb always requires the subjunctive. It uses the *ne explétif* when it's used in its negative (*ne pas nier que*) or interrogative forms.

Answer 42

On _doute que_ vous _mangiez_. On _ne doute pas que_ vous _ne mangez_ ## Footnote *Douter que*, which implies doubt, takes the subjunctive. The negative *ne pas douter que*, which implies certainty, is followed by the indicative. Note that the negative and interrogative forms of *douter que* take the *ne explétif*. Therefore, in the second sentence, you see the rare pairing of a *ne explétif* with an indicative verb.

Answer 43

Trouve nos blousons _afin que_ nous n'ayons pas froid ## Footnote so that - *afin que*. Most conjunctions of purpose require the subjunctive.

Answer 44

S'il vous plaît, fermez la porte _pour qu'_il ne fasse pas froid ## Footnote so that - *pour que*. *Pour que* and *afin que* can be used interchangeably, and both require the subjunctive.

Answer 45

Elle sèche son cours _afin qu’elle_ puisse aller au concert. ## Footnote The conjunction *afin que* means “so that” and requires the subjunctive mood. Other similar expressions include *de façon que*, *de manière que*, and *de sorte que*, all of which also take the subjunctive.

Answer 46

Je n'ai rien dit *_de peur qu'_*ils ne se fâchent contre moi ## Footnote for fear that, lest - *de peur que, de crainte que*. Both expressions require the subjunctive and the *ne explétif*. Note how the present subjunctive is used even though the main verb is in the past tense.

Answer 47

Tu dois me le dire _avant que_ Marie ne parte ## Footnote before - *avant que*. This conjunction of time requires both the subjunctive and the *ne explétif*.

Answer 48

Je vous attendrai _jusqu'à ce que_ vous arriviez ## Footnote until - *jusqu'à ce que*. This conjunctive expression takes the subjunctive.

Answer 49

Elle est allée se coucher _sans que_ je ne le sache ## Footnote without - *sans que*. This phrase takes both the subjunctive and the *ne explétif*.

Answer 50

Claire ne veut pas aller à la plage _sans que_ son père ne le sache ## Footnote Recall that *sans que* requires both the subjunctive and the *ne explétif*.

Answer 51

*_Quoiqu'_*il fasse chaud, je vais courir ## Footnote although, even though - *quoique*. This phrase of concession must be followed by the subjunctive.

Answer 52

Vous l'aimez beaucoup *_bien qu'_*il soit idiot de temps en temps ## Footnote even though, although, despite - *bien que*. This conjunction of concession must be followed by the subjunctive.

Answer 53

Elle n'ira pas _à moins que_ Jean ne vienne ## Footnote unless - *à moins que*. This expression of condition requires both the subjunctive and the *ne explétif*.

Answer 54

Il ne chantera pas _à moins que_ quelqu'un ne chante avec lui ## Footnote Recall that *à moins que* requires the *ne explétif*.

Answer 55

Je jouerai au basket avec toi, _pourvu que_ j'aie du temps ## Footnote provided that, assuming - *pourvu que, à condition que*. Both expressions must be followed by the subjunctive.

Answer 56

Il y a un chat et un chien. _Celui-là_ est gentil tandis que _celui-ci_ est méchant / _Le premier_ est gentil tandis que _l'autre_ est méchant ## Footnote the former... the latter - *celui-là... celui-ci, le premier... l'autre*. Another way of saying "the latter" is *ce dernier*.

Answer 57

Tu dois arriver en avance, _sinon_ tu ne trouveras pas de siège ## Footnote or else, otherwise, if not - *ou bien, sinon*

Answer 58

_Ou bien_ elle dormait toujours, _ou bien_ elle ne voulait pas venir, _ou bien_ elle était simplement en retard ## Footnote either... or... or - *ou bien... ou bien... ou bien*

Answer 59

_Or_, il se trouve que Marc habite juste ici ## Footnote now, yet - *or*. Note the impersonal phrase *il se trouve que*, "it so happens that." It takes the indicative. A similar phrase is *il arrive que*, which means "it sometimes happens that" and which requires the subjunctive.

Answer 60

On va commencer *_après qu'_*ils partiront ## Footnote The conjunctive phrase *après que* takes the indicative. Also note how the future tense is normally used after it, even though the present tense is typically used in English.

Answer 61

Il viendra _aussitôt que_ je lui téléphonerai ## Footnote as soon as - *aussitôt que, dès que*. Neither construction requires the subjunctive, but do note how they are typically followed by the future. Also note that *aussitôt* by itself is an adverb meaning "immediately."

Answer 62

_Tant que_ Jean est chez toi, il peut t'aider ## Footnote as long as, while, since - *tant que, puisque*. These phrases do not take the subjunctive.

Answer 63

Je peins _en même temps que_ Marcel fait la vaisselle ## Footnote at the same time that/as - *en même temps que*. This construction does not require the subjunctive.

Answer 64

C'est la plus gentille femme que Marc _connaisse_ ## Footnote When a verb follows a superlative expression, it is commonly in the subjunctive. This is because the superlative expression implies a subjective opinion, judgment, or exaggeration.

Answer 65

C'est le seul roman que vous _aimiez_ ## Footnote Note how the subjunctive follows the superlative form of *seul*.

Answer 66

C'est le plus beau maillot de bain que je _voie_ ## Footnote Recall that the subjunctive is often used in clauses following superlative expressions.

Answer 67

_Quel que soit_ le problème, on va le résoudre ## Footnote whatever - *quel que*. The subjunctive is used after indefinite constructions like *si...que*, *quoi que*, and *quel que*.

Answer 68

_Quoi que_ vous _trouviez_, nous l'inspecterons ## Footnote whatever, no matter what - *quoi que*. This indefinite construction should be followed by the subjunctive.

Answer 69

_Si grande qu'elle soit_, on pourra voir toute la ville ## Footnote however, no matter how - *si... que*. This construction should be followed by the subjunctive.

Answer 70

_Où que_ tu _sois_, il viendra te rejoindre ## Footnote wherever - *où que*. This indefinite construction should be followed by the subjunctive.

Answer 71

*_Qui qu'_*ils _soient_, nous ne les aimons pas ## Footnote whoever - *qui que*. This indefinite construction should be followed by the subjunctive.

Answer 72

Tu peux venir à _n'importe quelle_ heure ## Footnote any, no matter what/which - *n'importe quel*. The verb *importer* means both "to import" and "to matter/be important."

Answer 73

Je ferais _n'importe quoi_ pour avoir la chance de les voir ## Footnote anything - *n'importe quoi*. Note that this construction is often used in conversation to mean "nonsense."

Answer 74

_N'importe qui_ peut venir voir le match ## Footnote anyone - *n'importe qui*

Answer 75

Appelle-moi _n'importe quand_ ## Footnote anytime, whenever - *n'importe quand*

Answer 76

Il ira _n'importe où_ ## Footnote anywhere, wherever - *n'importe où*

Answer 77

Qu'il ne _réussisse_ jamais ## Footnote Note how the subjunctive can be used as an imperative, normally when the speaker isn't actually addressing the person at whom the command is directed.

Answer 78

_Vive_ le roi! ## Footnote This is arguably the most famous use of the subjunctive as an imperative.

Answer 79

On cherche un étudiant qui _sache_ conduire. On connait un étudiant qui _sait_ conduire ## Footnote The subjunctive is employed in relative clauses when the antecedent is indefinite. In the second sentence, the antecedent is definite, (the student is known without any doubt) so the indicative is used.

Answer 80

Je cherche un ami qui _veuille_ venir avec nous ## Footnote The subjunctive is used in the relative clause following the antecedent -- a noun/pronoun denoting something/someone that isn't yet identified or that may not exist. Because this implies doubt, the subjunctive is necessary.

Answer 81

Il n'y a _personne_ qui _puisse_ t'aider. Voici _quelqu'un_ qui _peut_ t'aider ## Footnote The subjunctive is used after *personne*, *quelqu'un*, *quelque chose*, and *rien* when uncertainty is suggested. Note how in the second sentence, the indicative is used.

Answer 82

Je _ne crois pas qu'il veuille_ aller à New York ## Footnote Recall that *croire* requires the subjunctive only after its negative or interrogative forms.

Answer 83

*_Croyez-vous qu'_*elle _vienne_? ## Footnote Recall that *croire* and *penser* require the subjunctive when used negatively or in a question.

Answer 84

Elle *_n'aime pas qu'_*il _dise_ ces choses ## Footnote *Aimer que* always requires the subjunctive.

Answer 85

Nous *_craignons qu'_*ils _ne prennent_ ce que nous voulons ## Footnote Note the placement of (a non-negative) *ne* before the subjunctive verb, since expressions of fear like *craindre que* require both the subjunctive and the *ne explétif*.

Answer 86

Je *_suis sûr qu'_*il _a_ 40 ans ## Footnote The indicative is used here because there is no doubt.

Answer 87

_Il est nécessaire que_ nous _partions_ ## Footnote The subjunctive is used here because an obligation, demand, or opinion is being expressed.

Answer 88

_Préfères-tu que_ je _fasse_ mes valises maintenant ou plus tard? ## Footnote The subjunctive is used here because a desire or preference is being expressed. *Préférer que* always requires the subjunctive.

Answer 89

Elle _veut que vous compreniez_ le livre ## Footnote The subjunctive is used here because a desire is expressed.

Answer 90

Je souhaite _aller_ en France ## Footnote There are several ways to avoid using the subjunctive. In this case, it would be incorrect to say *Je souhaite que j'aille en France*. If the subject of the main verb and the subject of the verb in the dependent clause are the same, it is better to use an infinitive.

Answer 91

Nous devons travailler beaucoup _afin de réussir_ ## Footnote Here, the subjunctive (*Nous devons travailler beaucoup afin que nous réussissions*) is avoided in favor of an infinitive.

Answer 92

Nous vous téléphonerons avant que vous _n'arriviez_. / Nous vous téléphonerons avant _votre arrivée_ ## Footnote In the second sentence, the subjunctive is avoided by replacing a clause with an appropriate noun.

Answer 93

Elle est heureuse _de venir_ ## Footnote Here, the subjunctive (*Elle est heureuse qu'elle vienne*) is avoided because the subject of the main and dependent clauses is the same. Instead, the infinitive is used.

Answer 94

Je permets que mon chien _parte_. / Je permets _à_ mon chien _de partir_ ## Footnote Both of these sentences are correct. The second avoids the subjunctive by using the preposition *à* before the indirect object, followed by *de* + the infinitive. This method works following all verbs and expressions of command, requirement, or permission.

Lesson 17 Flashcards

This deck introduces the present subjunctive and goes through the most common verbs and phrases that require the subjunctive mood. For more info on the subjunctive, we recommend checking out lawlessfrench.com. (118 cards)