B1 · Intermediate Chapter 6

Common Irregular Verbs: Part 1

4 Total Rules
43 examples
6 min
Rules in This Chapter Quick Practice

Chapter in 30 Seconds

Unlock the power of the French subjunctive with the four most essential irregular verbs.

  • Master the conjugation of avoir, être, faire, and aller in the subjunctive.
  • Identify the specific triggers that necessitate the use of these irregular forms.
  • Express your personal wishes, doubts, and requirements with authentic Parisian flair.
Speak with soul, not just with facts.

What You'll Learn

Ready for a huge leap in your French journey? In this chapter, we're diving into the 'heart' of French sentences! I know you might be thinking, 'Irregular? That sounds hard!' But don't worry, we'll learn together how to use super important verbs like avoir (to have), être (to be), faire (to do/make), and aller (to go) in the 'subjunctive' tense. Why is this so crucial? Because life isn't just about dry facts! When you want to say, 'I hope you are well,' 'It's necessary that you go,' or 'I want you to do it,' you can't just use the regular indicative. This is where the subjonctif comes in! These verbs will help you express your feelings, wishes, needs, and even doubts in a very natural, French way. Imagine you're sitting at a cafe in Paris and you want to say, 'I hope the weather is good' or 'It's necessary for me to get my coffee.' By mastering aie, soit, fasse, and aille, you'll be able to say exactly these things and sound just like a true Parisian! By the end of this chapter, you won't just be reporting facts; you'll be able to share your inner world. This is a big step that transforms you from a simple tourist into someone who can truly speak with emotion. So, let's go!

Learning Objectives

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

  1. 1
    By the end you will be able to: Use the subjunctive forms of avoir, être, faire, and aller to express desires and necessities.

Chapter Guide

Overview

Welcome to a pivotal moment in your French grammar B1 journey! In this chapter, we're unlocking the power of the French subjunctive, specifically focusing on some of the most common and crucial French irregular verbs: *avoir* (to have), *être* (to be), *faire* (to do/make), and *aller* (to go). Mastering these verbs in the *subjonctif* mood is a significant step, transforming your ability to express a wider range of emotions, wishes, doubts, and necessities. While "irregular" might sound daunting, think of it as embracing the unique personality of the French language.
The subjunctive isn't just a fancy grammatical rule; it's the heart of expressing your inner world. When you want to say "I hope you are well" (*J'espère que tu ailles bien*) or "It's necessary that you do it" (*Il faut que tu le fasses*), the regular indicative tense simply won't suffice. This French subjunctive mood allows for nuance, politeness, and genuine emotional connection in your conversations. It’s an essential part of sounding natural and moving beyond basic factual statements. Get ready to add depth to your French!

How This Grammar Works

The subjunctive mood in French is primarily used after certain verbs, conjunctions, or expressions that convey emotion, doubt, desire, necessity, or subjective judgment. It's often introduced by the word que (that). For our B1 French level, we're concentrating on four foundational irregular verbs, as they appear frequently in everyday conversation.
First up is Avoir (to have). Its present subjunctive forms are:
* que j'aie (that I have)
* que tu aies (that you have)
* qu'il/elle/on ait (that he/she/one has)
* que nous ayons (that we have)
* que vous ayez (that you have)
* qu'ils/elles aient (that they have)
Example

*J'espère que tu aies une bonne journée.* (I hope that you have a good day.)

Next, we have Être (to be), often referred to as "The Vibe Tense" because it expresses states of being and feelings. Its irregular subjunctive forms are:
* que je sois (that I am)
* que tu sois (that you are)
* qu'il/elle/on soit (that he/she/one is)
* que nous soyons (that we are)
* que vous soyez (that you are)
* qu'ils/elles soient (that they are)
Example

*Il est important que nous soyons prêts.* (It is important that we are ready.)

Then there's Faire (to do/make), allowing you to express actions with style. Its present subjunctive is:
* que je fasse (that I do/make)
* que tu fasses (that you do/make)
* qu'il/elle/on fasse (that he/she/one does/makes)
* que nous fassions (that we do/make)
* que vous fassiez (that you do/make)
* qu'ils/elles fassent (that they do/make)
Example

*Je veux que tu fasses tes devoirs.* (I want that you do your homework.)

Finally, Aller (to go) also has highly irregular subjunctive forms:
* que j'aille (that I go)
* que tu ailles (that you go)
* qu'il/elle/on aille (that he/she/one goes)
* que nous allions (that we go)
* que vous alliez (that you go)
* qu'ils/elles aillent (that they go)
Example

*Il faut que j'aille à la banque.* (It is necessary that I go to the bank.)

Common Mistakes

  1. 1✗ Wrong: *J'espère qu'il va bien.*
✓ Correct: *J'espère qu'il aille bien.*
*Explanation:* After verbs expressing hope or desire like *espérer* (to hope), you generally need the subjunctive. *Va* is indicative, *aille* is subjunctive.
  1. 1✗ Wrong: *Il est essentiel que vous êtes là.*
✓ Correct: *Il est essentiel que vous soyez là.*
*Explanation:* Expressions of necessity or importance (like *il est essentiel que*) trigger the subjunctive. *Êtes* is indicative, *soyez* is the correct subjunctive form for *vous*.
  1. 1✗ Wrong: *Je doute que nous faisons une erreur.*
✓ Correct: *Je doute que nous fassions une erreur.*
*Explanation:* Verbs expressing doubt (*douter que*) require the subjunctive. *Faisons* is the indicative form for *nous*, while *fassions* is the subjunctive.

Real Conversations

A

A

*J'espère que tu ailles bien après ton voyage.* (I hope that you are well after your trip.)
B

B

*Oui, merci! Je suis content que nous soyons enfin ici.* (Yes, thank you! I'm happy that we are finally here.)
A

A

*Il faut que je fasse mes courses avant la fermeture.* (It is necessary that I do my shopping before closing.)
B

B

*D'accord. Je veux que tu aies assez de temps.* (Okay. I want you to have enough time.)
A

A

*Mon professeur exige que j'aille à toutes les conférences.* (My professor requires that I go to all the conferences.)
B

B

*C'est normal qu'il soit si strict.* (It's normal that he is so strict.)

Quick FAQ

Q

What's the main difference between using *que je vais* and *que j'aille* in French?

*Que je vais* uses the indicative mood, implying a statement of fact or certainty, which is generally incorrect after subjunctive triggers. *Que j'aille* uses the subjunctive mood, conveying desire, doubt, emotion, or necessity, which is required after specific triggering phrases.

Q

Are there any specific phrases that always trigger the use of these irregular subjunctive verbs?

Yes, many! Common triggers include expressions of necessity (*il faut que* - it is necessary that), desire (*je veux que* - I want that, *j'espère que* - I hope that), emotion (*je suis content que* - I am happy that), and doubt (*je doute que* - I doubt that).

Q

How can I remember the irregular subjunctive forms of *avoir* and *être* more easily?

For *avoir*, focus on the aie stem for most singular forms, and ayons/ayez for plural. For *être*, remember the sois stem for singular and soyons/soyez for plural. Practice them in full sentences, not just in isolation!

Cultural Context

The French subjunctive, especially with these common irregular verbs, is deeply woven into the fabric of everyday communication. It adds a layer of politeness, nuance, and emotional sincerity that is highly valued by native speakers. Using the correct subjunctive form, like *que vous ayez* or *qu'il soit*, shows not just grammatical accuracy but also a sensitivity to expressing wishes, recommendations, or concerns in a natural and respectful way. It's how you move from merely stating facts to truly connecting with others on an emotional level.

Key Examples (8)

1

Il faut que j'aie mon téléphone pour Uber.

I must have my phone for Uber.

French Irregular Verb: Subjunctive Avoir (aie, ait, ayons)
2

Je suis content que tu aies de bonnes notes.

I am happy that you have good grades.

French Irregular Verb: Subjunctive Avoir (aie, ait, ayons)
3

Il faut que je sois à l'heure pour mon cours.

I must be on time for my class.

The Vibe Tense: Being with 'être' (Subjonctif présent)
4

Je veux que tu sois heureux.

I want you to be happy.

The Vibe Tense: Being with 'être' (Subjonctif présent)
5

Il faut que je fasse mes devoirs ce soir.

I have to do my homework tonight.

Doing it with Style: The Irregular Subjunctive of 'Faire' (Fasse)
6

Je veux que tu fasses attention sur la route.

I want you to be careful on the road.

Doing it with Style: The Irregular Subjunctive of 'Faire' (Fasse)
7

Il faut que j'aille au travail maintenant.

I need to go to work now.

French Subjunctive: The Irregular Verb 'Aller' (to go)
8

Je veux que tu ailles chercher {le|m} colis.

I want you to go get the package.

French Subjunctive: The Irregular Verb 'Aller' (to go)

Tips & Tricks (4)

💡

Listen for the 'que'

Whenever you hear 'que' after an emotion or doubt, prepare for the subjunctive.
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: French Irregular Verb: Subjunctive Avoir (aie, ait, ayons)
💡

Look for the 'que'

The subjunctive almost always follows 'que'. If you see 'que' after an emotion, get ready!
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: The Vibe Tense: Being with 'être' (Subjonctif présent)
💡

The 'fass-' rule

Always use 'fass-' for all persons in the subjunctive.
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Doing it with Style: The Irregular Subjunctive of 'Faire' (Fasse)
💡

The 'Nous/Vous' Rule

Always remember that 'nous' and 'vous' are the only ones that keep the 'all-' stem. Everything else uses 'aill-'.
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: French Subjunctive: The Irregular Verb 'Aller' (to go)

Key Vocabulary (5)

Il faut que It is necessary that Espérer que To hope that Vouloir que To want that Bien que Although Douter que To doubt that

Real-World Preview

coffee

Cafe Conversation

Review Summary

  • que + je/tu/il aie/aies/ait
  • que + je/tu/il sois/sois/soit
  • que + je/tu/il fasse/fasses/fasse
  • que + je/tu/il aille/ailles/aille

Common Mistakes

Learners often use the indicative 'ai' instead of the subjunctive 'aie' after 'il faut que'. Remember the subjunctive is required here.

Wrong: Il faut que j'ai du temps.
Correct: Il faut que j'aie du temps.

You cannot use the indicative 'est' after a verb of desire like 'vouloir que'. Use the subjunctive 'soit'.

Wrong: Je veux qu'il est heureux.
Correct: Je veux qu'il soit heureux.

Again, the indicative 'vas' is incorrect after the necessity trigger 'il faut que'. Use the irregular 'ailles'.

Wrong: Il faut que tu vas au cinéma.
Correct: Il faut que tu ailles au cinéma.

Next Steps

You have done incredible work today! Keep practicing these forms, and they will soon become second nature.

Write a list of 5 things you want your friends to do this weekend using these verbs.

Continue to: Common Irregular Verbs: Part 2

Quick Practice (10)

Fill in the blank.

Il faut que je ___ mes devoirs.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: b
Subjunctive of faire is fasse.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Doing it with Style: The Irregular Subjunctive of 'Faire' (Fasse)

Conjugate 'aller' in the subjunctive.

Il est important qu'ils ___ à l'heure.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: aillent
Use 'aillent' for the third person plural.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: French Subjunctive: The Irregular Verb 'Aller' (to go)

Fix the error.

Find and fix the mistake:

Il faut que nous sommes prêts.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Il faut que nous soyons prêts.
Correct subjunctive form.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: The Vibe Tense: Being with 'être' (Subjonctif présent)

Select the correct form.

Je veux que nous ___ au cinéma.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: allions
Use 'allions' for the first person plural.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: French Subjunctive: The Irregular Verb 'Aller' (to go)

Select the correct form.

Je doute qu'il ___ à la fête.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: aille
Subjunctive after doubt.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: French Subjunctive: The Irregular Verb 'Aller' (to go)

Fill in the blank.

Il faut que je ___ prêt.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: sois
First person singular subjunctive.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: The Vibe Tense: Being with 'être' (Subjonctif présent)

Choose the correct sentence.

Which is correct?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Il faut que tu aies raison.
Tu requires 'aies'.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: French Irregular Verb: Subjunctive Avoir (aie, ait, ayons)

Find the mistake.

Find and fix the mistake:

Il faut que ils aillent.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Il faut qu'ils aillent.
Elision is required.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: French Subjunctive: The Irregular Verb 'Aller' (to go)

Choose the correct form.

Je suis content que tu ___ là.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: sois
Second person singular subjunctive.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: The Vibe Tense: Being with 'être' (Subjonctif présent)

Choose the correct form.

Je veux qu'il ___ un effort.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: b
Subjunctive required.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Doing it with Style: The Irregular Subjunctive of 'Faire' (Fasse)

Score: /10

Common Questions (6)

It is a high-frequency verb that resisted regularization over centuries.
No, only after specific triggers like emotion or doubt.
Because it expresses the speaker's subjective mood or 'vibe' rather than objective facts.
Yes, the forms are identical, but the context is different.
Yes, whenever the subjunctive is required by the preceding verb or conjunction.
No, 'fais' is indicative. Using it in the subjunctive is a major error.
Previous Chapter
Getting Started with the Subjunctive
Next Chapter
Common Irregular Verbs: Part 2
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