B1 · 중급 챕터 12

Talking About Time and Deadlines

2 총 규칙
21 예문
7

Chapter in 30 Seconds

Master the art of scheduling and deadlines using the powerful French subjunctive mood.

  • Construct complex sentences using temporal conjunctions.
  • Apply the subjunctive mood after 'avant que' and 'jusqu'à ce que'.
  • Express waiting periods and deadlines with precision.
Time management, the French way.

배울 내용

Ready to take your French to the next level? In this chapter, we're diving into a super important and practical skill: how to talk about time and deadlines, especially when you want to say something happens before another event or until something else occurs. Think about it – we schedule things all the time, right? Like when you want to say,

Before I go to work, I drink coffee,
or "You can't play until you finish your homework." You'll meet three new friends here: avant que, "jusqu'à ce que, and en attendant que.
These are the key conjunctions that will help you build more complex sentences and express your meaning precisely. You might have heard about the
subjunctive mood and thought, Oh no, that sounds tough!" But don't worry, we're going to break it down simply. The cool thing is, these specific conjunctions *always* trigger the subjunctive. So, once you spot avant que, you'll know exactly what to do with the verb that follows. By the end of this chapter, you'll be able to confidently discuss your plans, talk about deadlines, and explain in French when you're going to do something or how long you need to wait. I promise, you'll pick this up quickly and see just how much this skill helps in your everyday conversations. Let's get started!

Learning Objectives

By the end of this chapter, you will be able to:

  1. 1
    By the end you will be able to: Describe personal deadlines and sequences of events using the subjunctive.

챕터 가이드

Overview

Welcome to your next step in mastering French grammar at the B1 French level! In this chapter, we're tackling a crucial skill for everyday communication: discussing time and setting deadlines. Imagine being able to confidently express when something needs to happen, or how long you'll wait for an event.
This isn't just about learning new words; it's about building more complex and nuanced sentences, truly taking your conversational French to the next level.
We'll focus on three powerful conjunctions that allow you to articulate actions happening before or until another event: avant que, jusqu'à ce que, and en attendant que. These phrases are incredibly useful for planning, scheduling, and simply describing sequences of events. A key feature you'll notice is their consistent use of the French subjunctive mood.
Don't let the word subjunctive scare you! For these specific conjunctions, it's actually a helpful rule: whenever you see avant que, jusqu'à ce que, or en attendant que, you automatically know the verb that follows must be in the subjunctive. This consistency makes it easier to apply the rule correctly, enhancing your French time clauses and overall fluency.

How This Grammar Works

Let's dive into the core mechanics of these essential B1 French time conjunctions. Each one introduces a dependent clause that specifies when an action occurs relative to another, and they all require the subjunctive mood.
First up is avant que, meaning before. This conjunction is used when the action in the main clause happens prior to the action in the subordinate clause. As per the rule
Before It Happens: Using Avant Que with Subjunctive
or "Doing things 'Before' (avant que + Subjunctive)", you'll always pair it with the subjunctive.
* Example: Je veux finir ce projet avant qu'il soit trop tard. (I want to finish this project before it is too late.)
* Example: Appelle-moi avant qu'elle arrive. (Call me before she arrives.)
Notice how avant que + subject + subjunctive verb creates a clear sequence of events. This is key for French time clauses.
Next, we have jusqu'à ce que, meaning until. This conjunction indicates that an action in the main clause continues up to the point when the action in the subordinate clause occurs. It's covered by rules like "Until (jusqu'à ce que) with Subjunctive and Using Subjunctive with 'Until' (jusqu'à ce que)". Like avant que, it consistently triggers the subjunctive.
* Example: Nous resterons ici jusqu'à ce qu'il pleuve. (We will stay here until it rains.)
* Example: Attends jusqu'à ce que je te donne le signal. (Wait until I give you the signal.)
This phrase is perfect for expressing duration or a condition that must be met.
Finally, there's en attendant que, which translates to while waiting for or until. This phrase is very similar to jusqu'à ce que but often emphasizes the act of waiting itself. It also falls under the
Waiting for it to happen (en attendant que)
rule, meaning it always takes the subjunctive.
* Example: Je vais lire un livre en attendant qu'il finisse. (I'm going to read a book while waiting for him to finish.)
* Example: Elle prépare le dîner en attendant que les enfants rentrent. (She's preparing dinner while waiting for the children to come home.)
These three conjunctions are your best friends for precise time management in B1 French grammar. Remember, the subjunctive is non-negotiable here!

Common Mistakes

  1. 1Wrong: "Je dois partir avant qu'il est minuit." (I have to leave before it is midnight.)
Correct: "Je dois partir avant qu'il soit minuit." (I have to leave before it is midnight.)
*Explanation:* Avant que always triggers the subjunctive mood. The verb être in the subjunctive for il is soit, not est. This is a classic error when dealing with French subjunctive after time clauses.
  1. 1Wrong: "Je mangerai jusqu'à ce que j'ai faim." (I will eat until I am hungry.)
Correct: "Je mangerai jusqu'à ce que j'aie faim." (I will eat until I am hungry.)
*Explanation:* Similar to avant que, jusqu'à ce que demands the subjunctive. The subjunctive form of avoir for je is aie, not ai. This mistake shows a common oversight in applying the correct subjunctive conjugation.
  1. 1Wrong:
    Elle a étudié avant que de partir.
    (She studied before leaving.)
Correct:
Elle a étudié avant de partir.
(She studied before leaving.)
*Explanation:* When the subject of both clauses is the same (in this case, elle), you use avant de + infinitive, not avant que + subjunctive. Avant que is used when the subjects of the two clauses are different.

Real Conversations

A

A

On devrait appeler un taxi avant qu'il fasse nuit. (We should call a taxi before it gets dark.)
B

B

Bonne idée! Je ne veux pas marcher seule en attendant que la nuit tombe. (Good idea! I don't want to walk alone while waiting for night to fall.)
A

A

Tu vas rester éveillé jusqu'à ce que le film soit fini? (Are you going to stay awake until the movie is over?)
B

B

Oui, j'espère ne pas m'endormir avant qu'il ne se termine. (Yes, I hope I don't fall asleep before it ends.)
A

A

Je ne peux pas commencer à cuisiner en attendant que les légumes soient coupés. (I can't start cooking while waiting for the vegetables to be chopped.)
B

B

D'accord, je vais les couper tout de suite pour que tu puisses commencer avant que l'eau ne bouille. (Okay, I'll chop them right away so you can start before the water boils.)

Quick FAQ

Q

What's the main difference between avant que and avant de?

Avant que is followed by a subject and a verb in the subjunctive mood and is used when the subjects of the two clauses are different. Avant de is followed by an infinitive verb and is used when the subject of both clauses is the same.

Q

Do jusqu'à ce que and en attendant que mean exactly the same thing?

They are very similar and often interchangeable, both meaning until and requiring the subjunctive. However, en attendant que often carries a stronger nuance of while waiting for or in anticipation of the action in the subordinate clause.

Q

Is the subjunctive always required after avant que, jusqu'à ce que, and en attendant que?

Yes, absolutely! These three conjunctions are among the most consistent triggers for the subjunctive mood in French. This is a key rule for B1 French grammar and French time clauses.

Q

Can I use these conjunctions to talk about past events?

Yes, you can. The main clause can be in a past tense, and the subordinate clause will still use the subjunctive (usually present subjunctive, or past subjunctive for an action completed before the main clause action). For example: Il a attendu jusqu'à ce que tu viennes. (He waited until you came.)

Cultural Context

Native French speakers use these conjunctions very frequently in daily conversation, making them essential for natural-sounding B1 French. They are not overly formal and are part of standard, polite discourse when making plans, setting expectations, or recounting events. Mastering avant que, jusqu'à ce que, and en attendant que adds a layer of precision to your communication, allowing you to express complex temporal relationships with ease.
You'll hear them in everything from casual chats about weekend plans to more formal discussions about project deadlines, demonstrating their versatility and importance in French grammar.

주요 예문 (2)

1

Appelle-moi avant que tu partes.

너 가기 전에 나한테 전화해.

~하기 전에: 'Avant Que'와 접속법 활용하기
2

Il faut finir le projet avant que le chef arrive.

상사가 오기 전에 프로젝트를 끝내야 해요.

~하기 전에: 'Avant Que'와 접속법 활용하기

팁과 요령 (2)

🎯

주어가 같을 때의 지름길

두 행동의 주어가 나로 같다면 'avant que' 대신 'avant de'와 동사원형을 쓰세요. 훨씬 간단하죠! 예: "Je bois de l'eau avant de courir."
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: ~하기 전에: 'Avant Que'와 접속법 활용하기
🎯

'ils' 형태를 기억하세요!

접속법 어간을 찾으려면 현재형 'ils' 변화에서 시작하세요. 90%의 동사에 통하는 꿀팁이에요! Ils finissent에서 finisse가 되는 것처럼요.
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: '~할 때까지' 뒤의 접속법 (jusqu'à ce que)

핵심 어휘 (5)

avant que before jusqu'à ce que until la date limite deadline attendre to wait le délai time frame/delay

Real-World Preview

briefcase

Work Meeting Prep

Review Summary

  • Avant que + [Subject] + [Subjunctive Verb]
  • Jusqu'à ce que + [Subject] + [Subjunctive Verb]

자주 하는 실수

Often, French speakers add an optional but elegant 'ne' (ne explétif) after these conjunctions. It's not strictly required but sounds very natural.

Wrong: Je pars avant que tu arrives.
정답: Je pars avant que tu n'arrives.

Mistaking the indicative 'finis' for the subjunctive 'finisses'. You must use the subjunctive after 'jusqu'à ce que'.

Wrong: J'attends jusqu'à ce que tu finis.
정답: J'attends jusqu'à ce que tu finisses.

If the subject is the same (I do both), use 'avant de' + infinitive instead of 'avant que' + subjunctive.

Wrong: Avant que manger, je travaille.
정답: Avant de manger, je travaille.

Next Steps

You've done an amazing job today! Keep practicing these structures in your daily life, and they will become second nature.

Write a 5-sentence schedule for tomorrow using these conjunctions.

빠른 연습 (6)

동사 형태의 틀린 부분을 찾아 고쳐보세요.

Find and fix the mistake:

Il travaille jusqu'à ce qu'il finit.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Il travaille jusqu'à ce qu'il finisse.
'finit'은 직설법이에요. 'jusqu'à ce que' 뒤에는 접속법인 'finisse'를 써야 합니다.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: '~할 때까지' 뒤의 접속법 (jusqu'à ce que)

틀린 부분을 찾아 고쳐보세요.

Find and fix the mistake:

Je pars avant que tu es là.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Je pars avant que tu sois là.
'avant que' 뒤에는 'être'의 접속법인 'sois'(tu 기준)를 써야 합니다.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: ~하기 전에: 'Avant Que'와 접속법 활용하기

빈칸에 알맞은 접속법 형태를 채워 넣으세요.

Lave-toi les mains avant que nous ___ (manger).

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: mangions
'manger'의 'nous' 접속법 형태는 반과거와 같은 'mangions'입니다.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: ~하기 전에: 'Avant Que'와 접속법 활용하기

'être'의 알맞은 접속법 형태를 빈칸에 채워보세요.

Je reste ici jusqu'à ce qu'il ___ prêt.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: soit
'jusqu'à ce que' 뒤에는 접속법이 필요해요. 'il'에 대한 'être'의 접속법은 'soit'입니다.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: '~할 때까지' 뒤의 접속법 (jusqu'à ce que)

동사와 함께 쓰인 '할 때까지' 표현 중 옳은 것을 고르세요.

가장 올바른 문장을 선택하세요:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: J'attends jusqu'à ce qu'il arrive.
주어와 동사가 뒤따를 때는 반드시 전체 구문인 'jusqu'à ce que'를 써야 해요.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: '~할 때까지' 뒤의 접속법 (jusqu'à ce que)

문법적으로 올바른 문장을 고르세요.

'그가 말하기 전에'를 올바르게 표현한 것은?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Avant qu'il parle.
접속법에서 'il'의 -er 동사 어미는 '-e'입니다. 'parles'는 'tu', 'parlons'는 'nous' 형태예요.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: ~하기 전에: 'Avant Que'와 접속법 활용하기

Score: /6

자주 묻는 질문 (4)

감정, 의심, 혹은 아직 사실이 아닌 일을 말할 때 쓰는 동사의 '모드'예요. '전(before)'에 일어나는 일은 아직 발생하지 않았으니 접속법과 찰떡궁합이죠. "Avant qu'il vienne" 처럼요.
아니요! 이건 선택 사항이고 매우 격식 있는 표현이에요. 일상 대화나 문자에서는 보통 생략한답니다. 이걸 '허사 ne'라고 불러요.
Avant que tu partes
라고만 해도 충분해요.
프랑스어에서 접속법은 아직 일어나지 않았거나 불확실한 일에 써요. '할 때까지'는 미래의 사건을 바라보는 거라 이 어조가 필요하죠. 예를 들어 "J'attends jusqu'à ce qu'il vienne"처럼요.
의미는 통하겠지만, 교육받지 못한 느낌을 줄 수 있어요. 짧은 문자 메시지에서도 가급적 접속법을 써보세요. "jusqu'à ce qu'il soit là"가 훨씬 자연스러워요.