B1 · Intermediate Chapter 12

Talking About Time and Deadlines

2 Total Rules
21 examples
7 min
Rules in This Chapter Quick Practice

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.

What You'll Learn

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.

Chapter Guide

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. 1✗ Wrong: "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. 1✗ Wrong: "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. 1✗ Wrong: "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.

Key Examples (4)

1

Appelle-moi avant que tu partes.

Call me before you leave.

Before It Happens: Using 'Avant Que' with Subjunctive
2

Il faut finir le projet avant que le chef arrive.

We must finish the project before the boss arrives.

Before It Happens: Using 'Avant Que' with Subjunctive
3

J'attends ici jusqu'à ce qu'il vienne.

I'm waiting here until he comes.

Using Subjunctive with 'Until' (jusqu'à ce que)
4

Reste en ligne jusqu'à ce que je sois prêt.

Stay online until I'm ready.

Using Subjunctive with 'Until' (jusqu'à ce que)

Tips & Tricks (2)

💡

The 'ne' explétif

Don't worry about the 'ne' in 'avant que tu ne viennes'. It's not a negative. It's just for style.
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Before It Happens: Using 'Avant Que' with Subjunctive
💡

The 'Que' Rule

Always remember the 'que' in 'jusqu'à ce que'. Without it, you can't use a verb clause.
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Using Subjunctive with 'Until' (jusqu'à ce que)

Key Vocabulary (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]

Common Mistakes

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.
Correct: 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.
Correct: 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.
Correct: 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.

Continue to: Setting Conditions and Rules

Quick Practice (6)

Fill in the blank with the correct subjunctive form.

Je t'attends jusqu'à ce que tu (venir) ____.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: viennes
Tu form of subjunctive.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Using Subjunctive with 'Until' (jusqu'à ce que)

Correct the error.

Find and fix the mistake:

Je reste jusqu'à ce que tu es prêt.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Je reste jusqu'à ce que tu sois prêt.
Subjunctive of être.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Using Subjunctive with 'Until' (jusqu'à ce que)

Choose the correct sentence.

Which is correct?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: J'attends jusqu'à ce qu'il arrive.
Correct subjunctive usage.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Using Subjunctive with 'Until' (jusqu'à ce que)

Fill in the blank with the correct subjunctive form.

Je pars avant que tu ne (finir) ____.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: finisses
Tu requires -es ending.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Before It Happens: Using 'Avant Que' with Subjunctive

Correct the error.

Find and fix the mistake:

Il faut manger avant que nous partons.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Il faut manger avant que nous partions.
Subjunctive is required.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Before It Happens: Using 'Avant Que' with Subjunctive

Choose the correct sentence.

Which is correct?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Je pars avant que tu partes.
Avant que triggers subjunctive.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Before It Happens: Using 'Avant Que' with Subjunctive

Score: /6

Common Questions (4)

It's called 'explétif' because it adds no negative meaning; it's just for style.
No, it is grammatically incorrect in standard French.
Because 'jusqu'à' is a preposition for nouns, while 'jusqu'à ce que' is a conjunction for verbs.
No, never use the future tense after 'jusqu'à ce que'.
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Possibilities and Purposes
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Setting Conditions and Rules
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