B1 · Intermediate Chapter 17

Describing People and Things That Might Not Exist

2 Total Rules
20 examples
6 min
Rules in This Chapter Quick Practice

Chapter in 30 Seconds

Master the French subjunctive to confidently describe people or things that might not exist at all.

  • Identify negative triggers that require the subjunctive mood.
  • Construct sentences using indefinite expressions like 'qui que' and 'quoi que'.
  • Apply these structures to express uncertainty in your daily French conversations.
Embrace the uncertainty of the French subjunctive!

What You'll Learn

Hey there, language explorer! Get ready for a super cool chapter that's going to make your French conversations much more natural and interesting. You know how sometimes you want to talk about someone or something that might not actually exist, or you haven't found yet? Like when you're looking for 'a cafe that has live music (but maybe there isn't one around!)' or you wish for 'a friend who is always smiling (but does such a person truly exist?)'. This is exactly where the French subjunctive (subjonctif) comes in to save the day! You'll learn how to use this special verb mood to describe things that don't exist. We'll start with how to use the subjunctive when you're denying the existence of something, like after negative expressions such as 'ne... personne' (no one). Then, we'll dive into 'où que' and 'quel que' to help you say things like 'no matter where' or 'whatever.' And finally, you'll master 'qui que' and 'quoi que' to express 'whoever' and 'whatever' in those uncertain situations. These rules might sound a little tricky at first, but don't worry! We'll go step-by-step, and you'll see how they all connect to express a kind of 'unreality' or 'non-existence.' It's easier than you think! By the end of this chapter, you'll confidently be able to talk about things that aren't real or are uncertain in French, making your sentences sound much more elegant and native-like! Imagine being able to say 'I don't know any student who studies this hard' or 'Wherever you are, I will find you!' Isn't that exciting?

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 mood correctly when denying the existence of a person or object.
  2. 2
    By the end you will be able to: Formulate sentences using 'qui que' and 'quoi que' to describe universal uncertainty.

Chapter Guide

Overview

Hey there, language explorer! Welcome to this exciting B1 French grammar chapter where we're going to unlock a powerful way to express yourself more naturally and precisely. Have you ever wanted to talk about something you're looking for, but you're not sure it even exists? Or perhaps you're describing a person who might be purely hypothetical? This is where the French subjunctive truly shines! As you advance in your French grammar journey, mastering the subjunctive for expressing uncertainty or non-existence is key to sounding more like a native speaker. This chapter focuses on specific scenarios where the subjunctive helps you articulate ideas about things, people, or places that are indefinite, hypothetical, or whose existence is denied. We'll explore how to use it after negative expressions like ne... personne, and then dive into versatile phrases like où que, quel que, qui que, and quoi que. Get ready to elevate your CEFR B1 French conversation skills by adding nuance and elegance to your sentences!

How This Grammar Works

At its heart, the French subjunctive is often used to express uncertainty, wishes, emotions, or doubt. In this chapter, we're applying it to situations where the existence of the person, thing, or place being described is not confirmed or is explicitly denied. This concept is often called the Subjonctif après antécédent négatif (subjunctive after a negative antecedent).
First, let's look at the French Subjunctive with Negative Words. When you use negative expressions such as ne... personne (no one), ne... rien (nothing), ne... aucun(e) (no, not any), or ne... pas de (no, not any), and you're describing an indefinite or non-existent entity, the subjunctive is almost always required.
* Je ne connais personne qui sache parler le chinois. (I don't know anyone who knows how to speak Chinese.)
* Il n'y a rien ici qui puisse t'aider. (There is nothing here that can help you.)
* Nous n'avons trouvé aucune solution qui convienne. (We haven't found any solution that suits.)
Next, we tackle Wherever and Whatever with Où que and Quel que.
* Où que means "wherever" and is always followed by the subjunctive. It expresses an indefinite place.
* Où que tu ailles, je te suivrai. (Wherever you go, I will follow you.)
* Quel que means "whatever" or "whichever." This phrase is a bit special: quel must agree in gender and number with the noun it refers to, and it is always followed by a form of être in the subjunctive.
* Quels que soient vos problèmes, nous sommes là. (Whatever your problems are, we are here.)
* Quelle que soit la raison, vous devez partir. (Whatever the reason, you must leave.)
Finally, for Whatever & Whoever, we use Quoi que and Qui que.
* Quoi que means "whatever" or "no matter what" and is always followed by the subjunctive. It refers to an indefinite action or thing.
* Quoi que tu fasses, fais-le avec passion. (Whatever you do, do it with passion.)
* Qui que means "whoever" or "no matter who" and is also always followed by the subjunctive. It refers to an indefinite person.
* Qui que tu sois, tu es le bienvenu. (Whoever you are, you are welcome.)
These constructions all share the common thread of referring to something hypothetical, uncertain, or explicitly non-existent, making the French subjunctive the perfect mood to convey this nuance.

Common Mistakes

  1. 1✗ Wrong: "Je cherche un emploi qui *est* intéressant."
✓ Correct: "Je cherche un emploi qui soit intéressant." (I'm looking for a job that is interesting.)
*Explanation:* If you are actively *looking* for a job with certain qualities, its existence (or the existence of such a job *for you*) is uncertain or not yet confirmed, thus requiring the subjunctive. If you already *have* an interesting job, you'd use the indicative: "J'ai un emploi qui *est* intéressant."
  1. 1✗ Wrong: "Quel que *est* son avis, je m'en fiche."
✓ Correct: "Quel que soit son avis, je m'en fiche." (Whatever his opinion is, I don't care.)
*Explanation:* Quel que always requires the subjunctive form of être and must agree in gender and number with the noun it precedes (avis is masculine singular, so quel que soit).
  1. 1✗ Wrong: "Où que tu *vas*, je serai là."
✓ Correct: "Où que tu ailles, je serai là." (Wherever you go, I will be there.)
*Explanation:* The conjunction où que (wherever) consistently demands the subjunctive mood for the following verb.

Real Conversations

A

A

Je ne trouve personne qui puisse m'aider avec ce problème. (I can't find anyone who can help me with this problem.)
B

B

Ah, c'est dommage ! Il n'y a personne ici qui connaisse la réponse ? (Oh, that's a shame! Is there no one here who knows the answer?)
A

A

Où que tu sois en ce moment, j'espère que tu penses à moi. (Wherever you are right now, I hope you're thinking of me.)
B

B

Bien sûr ! Quels que soient mes soucis, tu es toujours dans mes pensées. (Of course! Whatever my worries are, you're always in my thoughts.)
A

A

Quoi que tu décides de faire, je te soutiendrai. (Whatever you decide to do, I will support you.)
B

B

Merci ! Qui que tu sois pour moi, ton soutien compte beaucoup. (Thanks! Whoever you are to me, your support means a lot.)

Quick FAQ

Q

When do I use the French subjunctive for uncertainty?

You use the French subjunctive for uncertainty, especially when describing things or people whose existence is denied, hypothetical, or indefinite, often after negative expressions or with phrases like où que, quel que, quoi que, qui que.

Q

What's the difference between "quoi que" and "quel que" in French?

Quoi que means "whatever" (no matter what) and is an invariable conjunction followed by the subjunctive. Quel que also means "whatever" but is an adjective that agrees in gender and number with the noun it modifies, and it's always followed by the subjunctive form of être.

Q

Does "où que" always take the subjunctive in French?

Yes, où que (wherever) is a conjunction that consistently requires the subjunctive mood for the verb that follows it.

Q

How to form the French subjunctive after negative expressions?

After negative expressions like ne... personne, ne... rien, or ne... aucun, if you're referring to an indefinite or non-existent antecedent, you use the regular subjunctive conjugation of the verb.

Cultural Context

These subjunctive constructions are not just formal grammar points; they are deeply ingrained in everyday French to express nuance. Native speakers use them instinctively to convey that something is hypothetical, uncertain, or simply doesn't exist. Mastering them allows you to express sophisticated thoughts and feelings, making your French sound incredibly natural and elegant, whether you're discussing philosophy or just trying to find a specific type of restaurant. It's a hallmark of fluency!

Key Examples (4)

1

Je ne connais personne qui sache réparer mon iPhone.

I don't know anyone who knows how to fix my iPhone.

French Subjunctive: Talking About What Doesn't Exist (Subjonctif après antécédent négatif)
2

Il n'y a rien qui me fasse plus plaisir que de voyager.

There is nothing that makes me happier than traveling.

French Subjunctive: Talking About What Doesn't Exist (Subjonctif après antécédent négatif)
3

Quoi que tu dises, je vais commander une pizza.

Whatever you say, I'm going to order a pizza.

Whatever & Whoever (Quoi que / Qui que)
4

Qui que tu sois, tu es le bienvenu ici.

Whoever you are, you are welcome here.

Whatever & Whoever (Quoi que / Qui que)

Tips & Tricks (2)

💡

The 'Ghost' Rule

If you are looking for a ghost (someone who might not exist), use the subjunctive.
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: French Subjunctive: Talking About What Doesn't Exist (Subjonctif après antécédent négatif)
💡

The 'Subjunctive' Rule

Always check if your verb is in the subjunctive. If you are unsure, stick to the most common verbs like 'faire' or 'être'.
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Whatever & Whoever (Quoi que / Qui que)

Key Vocabulary (6)

personne no one aucun none / not any quoi que whatever qui que whoever douter to doubt n'importe no matter

Real-World Preview

home

The Ideal Apartment Hunt

Review Summary

  • Negation + qui/que + Subjunctive
  • Qui/Quoi que + Subjunctive

Common Mistakes

When the person you are looking for hasn't been found, use the subjunctive 'soit' instead of the indicative 'est'.

Wrong: Je cherche quelqu'un qui est gentil.
Correct: Je cherche quelqu'un qui soit gentil.

'Qui que' requires the subjunctive. 'Es' is the indicative form.

Wrong: Qui que tu es, je t'aime.
Correct: Qui que tu sois, je t'aime.

Always follow 'quoi que' with the subjunctive verb.

Wrong: Quoi que tu fais, c'est bien.
Correct: Quoi que tu fasses, c'est bien.

Next Steps

You have conquered the subjunctive! Keep practicing these structures, and they will become second nature.

Write three sentences about things you wish existed but don't.

Continue to: Adding Detail and Precision

Quick Practice (8)

Choose the correct verb.

Il n'y a rien qui me ___.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: a
Subjunctive needed.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: French Subjunctive: Talking About What Doesn't Exist (Subjonctif après antécédent négatif)

Find the error.

Find and fix the mistake:

Quoi que tu dis est faux.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: dis
Should be 'dises'.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Whatever & Whoever (Quoi que / Qui que)

Fill in the blank with the correct subjunctive form.

Quoi que tu (faire) ____, je t'aime.

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

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Whatever & Whoever (Quoi que / Qui que)

Choose the correct sentence.

Which is correct?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: b
Subjunctive after negative.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: French Subjunctive: Talking About What Doesn't Exist (Subjonctif après antécédent négatif)

Fill in the blank.

Y a-t-il un candidat qui ___ (avoir) de l'expérience ?

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

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: French Subjunctive: Talking About What Doesn't Exist (Subjonctif après antécédent négatif)

Correct the sentence.

Find and fix the mistake:

Je veux un livre qui est intéressant.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: a
Subjunctive needed.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: French Subjunctive: Talking About What Doesn't Exist (Subjonctif après antécédent négatif)

Fill in the blank.

Je cherche quelqu'un qui ___ (savoir) conduire.

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

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: French Subjunctive: Talking About What Doesn't Exist (Subjonctif après antécédent négatif)

Choose the correct word.

____ que tu sois, entre.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Qui
Qui is for people.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Whatever & Whoever (Quoi que / Qui que)

Score: /8

Common Questions (4)

Because the person or thing you are looking for is hypothetical.
No, only if you are unsure of existence.
Because the outcome is uncertain or indefinite.
No, it is grammatically incorrect.
Previous Chapter
The Best, the Only, and the Unique
Next Chapter
Adding Detail and Precision
Back to Roadmap