B1 Subjunctive 11 min read Medium

Reacting with Feelings: French Subjunctive (Subjonctif après l'émotion)

Use the subjunctive to express how you feel about what someone else is doing or being.
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Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds

When you express an emotion about someone else's action, use the subjunctive mood after 'que'.

  • Use subjunctive after 'Je suis heureux que...' (I am happy that...)
  • The subject of the first verb must be different from the second verb.
  • Conjugate the second verb in the present subjunctive form.
Emotion Verb + que + Subject 2 + Subjunctive Verb

Overview

French, a language renowned for its precision and expressive depth, employs distinct verbal moods to convey a speaker's perspective on an action or state. While the indicative mood (l'indicatif) serves to articulate facts, certainties, and objective realities—like in Il pleut (It is raining), which states a verifiable fact—the subjunctive mood (le subjonctif) steps in when the speaker expresses subjectivity, doubt, desire, necessity, or, crucially for our discussion, emotion. This distinction is fundamental: the indicative presents the world as it is or will be, whereas the subjunctive presents the world as it is felt, wished for, or perceived by the speaker.

The subjunctive thus functions as a powerful linguistic tool, signaling that the utterance is filtered through an internal lens rather than delivered as an unadulterated truth. When you encounter a verb in the subjunctive mood following an expression of emotion, it means the preceding feeling directly shapes how the speaker interprets or relates to the subsequent action. This grammatical structure highlights a core aspect of French: the speaker's internal state and emotional stance often take precedence over a simple factual statement, imbuing communication with rich layers of personal sentiment.

How This Grammar Works

The requirement for the subjonctif after expressions of emotion is not an arbitrary grammatical quirk but a direct consequence of French linguistic logic, marking a shift from objective observation to subjective experience. This grammatical pattern, often referred to as the W.E.I.R.D.O. rule (Wishes, Emotions, Impersonal expressions, Requests, Doubt, Orders), is activated under three specific conditions:
  1. 1An Expression of Emotion: The main clause of the sentence must contain a verb, adjective, or phrase that clearly conveys a feeling, a judgment, or a subjective reaction. For example, phrases such as être content que (to be happy that), avoir peur que (to be afraid that), regretter que (to regret that), or il est dommage que (it is a shame that) set the necessary emotional or judgmental context. This initial clause establishes who is feeling what.
Example: Je suis ravi... (I am delighted...)
  1. 1The Conjunction que: This small but mighty conjunction acts as the indispensable bridge, linking the main clause (expressing the emotion) to the subordinate clause (describing the action or state eliciting that emotion). Que transforms the second clause from an independent statement into one dependent on the emotion described in the first. Remember that que will elide to qu' before a vowel or mute h.
Example: Je suis ravi que... (I am delighted that...)
  1. 1A Change of Subject: This is a critical, non-negotiable condition. The subject of the main clause (the person experiencing the emotion) must be different from the subject of the subordinate clause (the person or thing performing the action or being in the state). This structural separation is what mandates the subjunctive.
Example: Je suis ravi que tu viennes. (I am delighted that you are coming.) Here, je is the first subject, and tu is the second. If the subject remains the same, the infinitive is used instead of the subjunctive. Consider the contrast: Je suis ravi de venir. (I am delighted to come.) Here, je is the implied subject of both être ravi and venir, so the infinitive is used after de.
The subjunctive is reserved for when your feelings are directed towards someone else's action or a state of affairs involving a different subject. This grammatical choice allows you to express a subjective reaction to an external event, marking that event as something perceived through your emotional filter rather than as an objective reality.
In essence, the subjunctive following emotional expressions allows you to communicate not just what happens, but how you feel about it when it involves another party. J'ai peur qu'il pleuve (I am afraid that it might rain) exemplifies this: your fear (j'ai peur) is about the possibility of rain (il pleuve), an action with a different subject (il). The subjunctive verb pleuve reflects this emotional apprehension, distinguishing it from the factual il pleut (it is raining).

Formation Pattern

1
The formation of the present subjunctive in French, while often perceived as daunting, follows remarkably predictable patterns for most regular verbs. The key is to understand its core derivation from the indicative mood.
2
General Rule for Regular Verbs:
3
To form the present subjunctive for most regular verbs, and many irregular ones, you derive the stem from the third-person plural (ils/elles) form of the present indicative. Then, you apply a consistent set of subjunctive endings.
4
Identify the ils/elles form in the present indicative.
5
parler (to speak) -> ils parlent
6
finir (to finish) -> ils finissent
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vendre (to sell) -> ils vendent
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Remove the -ent ending. This gives you the subjunctive stem.
9
parl-
10
finiss-
11
vend-
12
Add the appropriate subjunctive endings:
13
| Person | Ending | parler stem (parl-) | finir stem (finiss-) | vendre stem (vend-) |
14
| :------------- | :----- | :-------------------- | :---------------------- | :-------------------- |
15
| que je | -e | parle | finisse | vende |
16
| que tu | -es | parles | finisses | vendes |
17
| qu'il/elle/on| -e | parle | finisse | vende |
18
| que nous | -ions| parlions | finissions | vendions |
19
| que vous | -iez | parliez | finissiez | vendiez |
20
| qu'ils/elles | -ent | parlent | finissent | vendent |
21
Key Observation: For the nous and vous forms, the endings (-ions, -iez) are identical to those of the imperfect indicative. This can be a helpful memory aid. The je, tu, il/elle/on, and ils/elles forms often resemble the present indicative for -er verbs, but the preceding que and the context will always signal the subjunctive mood.
22
Irregular Verbs: The Must-Knows
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A significant number of the most common French verbs are irregular in the subjunctive. These irregular forms are indispensable for expressing emotions, desires, and doubts, and therefore must be memorized.
24
être (to be):
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| Person | Form |
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| :------------- | :----- |
27
| que je | sois |
28
| que tu | sois |
29
| qu'il/elle/on| soit |
30
| que nous | soyons |
31
| que vous | soyez |
32
| qu'ils/elles | soient |
33
Example: Je suis heureux que tu sois là. (I am happy that you are here.)
34
avoir (to have):
35
| Person | Form |
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| :------------- | :----- |
37
| que j' | aie |
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| que tu | aies |
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| qu'il/elle/on| ait |
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| que nous | ayons|
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| que vous | ayez |
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| qu'ils/elles | aient|
43
Example: J'ai peur qu'il n'ait pas le temps. (I am afraid he won't have time.)
44
Other critical irregular verbs and their subjunctive stems/forms:
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faire (to do/make): fasse, fasses, fasse, fassions, fassiez, fassent
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aller (to go): aille, ailles, aille, allions, alliez, aillent
47
pouvoir (can/to be able): puisse, puisses, puisse, puissions, puissiez, puissent
48
vouloir (to want): veuille, veuilles, veuille, voulions, vouliez, veuillent
49
savoir (to know): sache, saches, sache, sachions, sachiez, sachent
50
prendre (to take): prenne, prennes, prenne, prenions, preniez, prennent (Note the stem change for nous/vous)
51
venir (to come): vienne, viennes, vienne, venions, veniez, viennent (Similar stem change)
52
Consistent practice and exposure are the most effective strategies for internalizing these essential forms. Many other verbs, even if irregular in other tenses, follow the general ils/elles stem rule for the subjunctive (e.g., boire -> ils boivent -> que je boive).

When To Use It

The subjunctive is systematically used after expressions of emotion, desire, doubt, necessity, and subjective judgment, provided the three conditions (emotional/subjective expression + que + change of subject) are met. These expressions allow you to convey your personal reaction to an event or state involving another subject.
  1. 1Joy, Happiness, Pleasure, Satisfaction: Use these to express positive feelings towards an outcome or situation. These reflect a speaker's contentment or delight.
  • être content que (to be happy that)
  • être heureux que (to be happy that)
  • être ravi que (to be delighted that)
  • se réjouir que (to rejoice that)
  • Ça me plaît que (It pleases me that)
*Example: Je suis ravi que tu puisses venir à ma fête. (I am delighted that you can come to my party.)
*Example: Nous sommes contents qu'il réussisse si bien dans ses études. (We are happy that he is succeeding so well in his studies.)
*Example: C'est super que vous fassiez ce voyage. (It's great that you are taking this trip.)
  1. 1Sadness, Regret, Disappointment: Employ these expressions to communicate negative feelings, sorrow, or a sense of loss regarding an event or situation.
  • être triste que (to be sad that)
  • regretter que (to regret that)
  • être désolé que (to be sorry that)
  • être déçu que (to be disappointed that)
  • Ça m'ennuie que (It bothers/annoys me that)
*Example: Je regrette qu'elle ne comprenne pas la gravité de la situation. (I regret that she does not understand the gravity of the situation.)
*Example: Il est désolé que le concert soit annulé à la dernière minute. (He is sorry that the concert is cancelled at the last minute.)
*Example: Nous sommes tristes que vous partiez si tôt. (We are sad that you are leaving so early.)
  1. 1Fear, Worry, Apprehension: Use the subjunctive when expressing concern, anxiety, or dread about a potential future or present event. This often highlights uncertainty.
  • avoir peur que (to be afraid that)
  • craindre que (to fear that)
  • redouter que (to dread that)
  • Il est à craindre que (It is to be feared that)
*Example: Nous craignons que le projet ne voie pas le jour à cause des retards. (We fear that the project may not see the light of day due to delays.)
*Example: J'ai peur qu'il ne soit trop tard pour modifier la réservation. (I am afraid it might be too late to change the reservation.)
*Example: Elle redoute que ses amis ne l'oublient en son absence. (She dreads that her friends might forget her in her absence.)
Note on ne explétif: After verbs of fearing (like craindre, avoir peur), a ne may appear before the subjunctive verb (ne explétif). This ne does not carry a negative meaning; it's a stylistic particle, more common in formal French. Compare: J'ai peur qu'il parte (I'm afraid he might leave) and J'ai peur qu'il ne parte pas (I'm afraid he won't leave).
It often suggests a nuanced sense of prevention or a feared outcome.
  1. 1Surprise, Astonishment: Employ the subjunctive when something unexpected elicits a strong reaction, indicating the speaker's personal astonishment or disbelief.
  • être surpris que (to be surprised that)
  • être étonné que (to be astonished that)
  • s'étonner que (to be surprised that)
*Example: Je suis étonné que tu parles si couramment japonais. (I am astonished that you speak Japanese so fluently.)
*Example: Elle est surprise que son patron accepte une telle proposition. (She is surprised that her boss accepts such a proposal.)
  1. 1Subjective Judgment or Impersonal Expressions of Emotion: Many impersonal expressions (starting with il est or c'est) that convey an opinion, a judgment, or an emotion also trigger the subjunctive when followed by que and a change of subject.
  • Il est dommage que (It's a shame that)
  • C'est bien que (It's good that)
  • Il est important que (It's important that)
  • Il est essentiel que (It's essential that)
  • Il est regrettable que (It's regrettable that)
*Example: Il est dommage que vous ne puissiez pas assister à la conférence. (It's a shame that you cannot attend the conference.)
*Example: C'est important que chacun dise ce qu'il pense. (It's important that everyone says what they think.)
Contrast: Be careful not to confuse these with impersonal expressions of certainty, which take the indicative (e.g., il est certain que, il est évident que). The distinction lies in whether the expression conveys opinion/emotion or verifiable fact.
This broad application underscores the subjunctive's pivotal role in grounding statements within the speaker's personal, emotional, or judgmental framework. It transforms a simple account of events into a declaration infused with individual sentiment, which is vital for nuanced communication in French.

Common Mistakes

Mastering the subjunctive after expressions of emotion often involves navigating specific pitfalls. Recognizing these common errors and understanding their underlying causes will significantly improve your accuracy.
  1. 1Forgetting the Change of Subject (The Golden Rule): This is by far the most frequent mistake. The subjunctive is only triggered if the subject of the emotional main clause is different from the subject of the que-clause. If the subject is the same, the infinitive is used, typically preceded by de.
  • Incorrect: Je suis content que je sois en vacances. (Both subjects are je.)
  • Correct: Je suis content d'être en vacances. (I am happy to be on vacation.)
  • Incorrect: Elle a peur qu'elle échoue à l'examen. (Both subjects are elle.)
  • Correct: Elle a peur d'échouer à l'examen. (She is afraid of failing the exam.)
This error stems from over-applying the subjunctive rule without checking the subject relationship. Always ask yourself:

Subjunctive Endings

Subject Ending
je
-e
tu
-es
il/elle/on
-e
nous
-ions
vous
-iez
ils/elles
-ent

Meanings

The subjunctive mood is used to express subjectivity, doubt, or emotion rather than objective fact. When you react to an event with a feeling, the following verb must shift from the indicative to the subjunctive.

1

Joy/Happiness

Expressing delight or satisfaction about an event.

“Je suis ravi que tu viennes.”

“Il est content que nous soyons là.”

2

Sadness/Regret

Expressing sorrow or disappointment.

“Je suis triste qu'il pleuve.”

“Elle est désolée que vous soyez partis.”

3

Fear/Anxiety

Expressing worry about a future or current event.

“J'ai peur qu'il soit en retard.”

“Nous craignons qu'elle ne comprenne pas.”

Reference Table

Reference table for Reacting with Feelings: French Subjunctive (Subjonctif après l'émotion)
Form Structure Example
Affirmative
Je suis content que + subjonctif
Je suis content qu'il vienne.
Negative
Je ne suis pas content que + subjonctif
Je ne suis pas content qu'il vienne.
Interrogative
Es-tu content que + subjonctif ?
Es-tu content qu'il vienne ?
Same Subject
Je suis content de + infinitif
Je suis content de venir.
Past Emotion
Je suis content que + passé du subjonctif
Je suis content qu'il soit venu.
Fear
J'ai peur que + subjonctif (+ ne explétif)
J'ai peur qu'il ne vienne.

Formality Spectrum

Formal
Je suis heureux que vous soyez présent.

Je suis heureux que vous soyez présent. (Social)

Neutral
Je suis content que tu sois là.

Je suis content que tu sois là. (Social)

Informal
Je suis super content que tu sois là.

Je suis super content que tu sois là. (Social)

Slang
Trop content que tu sois là !

Trop content que tu sois là ! (Social)

Emotional Triggers

Emotion

Joy

  • heureux happy
  • ravi delighted

Sadness

  • triste sad
  • navré sorry

Fear

  • peur fear
  • craint fears

Indicative vs Subjunctive

Indicative
Je sais que... I know that...
Subjunctive
Je suis heureux que... I am happy that...

Decision Tree

1

Is the subject the same?

YES
Use infinitive
NO
Use subjunctive
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Examples by Level

1

Je suis content que tu sois là.

I am happy that you are here.

2

Je suis triste qu'il parte.

I am sad that he is leaving.

3

J'ai peur qu'il pleuve.

I am afraid that it will rain.

4

Je suis ravi que tu viennes.

I am delighted that you are coming.

1

Elle est heureuse que nous réussissions.

She is happy that we are succeeding.

2

Nous sommes désolés que vous soyez fatigués.

We are sorry that you are tired.

3

Il a peur que nous ne comprenions pas.

He is afraid that we don't understand.

4

Je suis surpris qu'il sache la vérité.

I am surprised that he knows the truth.

1

Je suis étonné qu'ils aient fini si tôt.

I am astonished that they finished so early.

2

Elle craint que le projet ne soit un échec.

She fears that the project might be a failure.

3

Nous sommes ravis que vous ayez pu nous rejoindre.

We are delighted that you were able to join us.

4

Il est dommage que tu ne puisses pas venir.

It is a pity that you cannot come.

1

Je suis scandalisé qu'on ait pris une telle décision.

I am outraged that such a decision was taken.

2

Elle est soulagée que tout se soit bien passé.

She is relieved that everything went well.

3

Nous sommes inquiets qu'il ne se sente pas bien.

We are worried that he is not feeling well.

4

Il est regrettable que les choses soient ainsi.

It is regrettable that things are this way.

1

Je suis navré que cette situation ait perduré si longtemps.

I am sorry that this situation has lasted so long.

2

Il est stupéfiant qu'il ait pu agir avec une telle impunité.

It is staggering that he could act with such impunity.

3

Je suis enchanté que vous ayez daigné nous accorder votre temps.

I am delighted that you deigned to grant us your time.

4

Elle est terrifiée à l'idée que nous ne soyons découverts.

She is terrified at the thought that we might be discovered.

1

Il est fort déplorable que la justice ne soit point rendue.

It is highly deplorable that justice is not served.

2

Je suis fort aise que vous ayez consenti à cette entrevue.

I am very pleased that you have consented to this interview.

3

Il est navrant que les efforts aient été vains.

It is heartbreaking that the efforts were in vain.

4

Je suis surpris qu'il ne se soit pas davantage manifesté.

I am surprised that he did not manifest himself more.

Easily Confused

Reacting with Feelings: French Subjunctive (Subjonctif après l'émotion) vs Indicative vs Subjunctive

Learners often use the indicative for everything.

Reacting with Feelings: French Subjunctive (Subjonctif après l'émotion) vs Infinitive vs Subjunctive

Learners use the subjunctive even when the subject is the same.

Reacting with Feelings: French Subjunctive (Subjonctif après l'émotion) vs Subjunctive vs Conditional

Learners mix up the moods.

Common Mistakes

✗

Je suis content que tu es là.

✓

Je suis content que tu sois là.

Must use subjunctive after emotion.
✗

Je suis heureux que je viens.

✓

Je suis heureux de venir.

Same subject requires infinitive.
✗

Il est triste qu'il pleut.

✓

Il est triste qu'il pleuve.

Subjunctive required.
✗

J'ai peur que tu ne viens pas.

✓

J'ai peur que tu ne viennes pas.

Subjunctive required.
✗

Nous sommes ravis que vous avez gagné.

✓

Nous sommes ravis que vous ayez gagné.

Past subjunctive needed.
✗

Elle craint qu'il ne vient pas.

✓

Elle craint qu'il ne vienne pas.

Subjunctive required.
✗

Je suis surpris qu'il sait ça.

✓

Je suis surpris qu'il sache ça.

Irregular subjunctive.
✗

Il est dommage qu'il est trop tard.

✓

Il est dommage qu'il soit trop tard.

Subjunctive required.
✗

Je suis inquiet qu'ils ne sont pas arrivés.

✓

Je suis inquiet qu'ils ne soient pas arrivés.

Past subjunctive.
✗

Je suis étonné qu'il fait ça.

✓

Je suis étonné qu'il fasse ça.

Irregular subjunctive.
✗

Je suis navré qu'il a dû partir.

✓

Je suis navré qu'il ait dû partir.

Past subjunctive.
✗

Il est stupéfiant qu'il a pu faire ça.

✓

Il est stupéfiant qu'il ait pu faire ça.

Past subjunctive.
✗

Je suis enchanté que vous avez pu venir.

✓

Je suis enchanté que vous ayez pu venir.

Past subjunctive.

Sentence Patterns

Je suis ___ que tu ___.

J'ai peur que ___ ne ___ pas.

Il est ___ que nous ___.

Nous sommes ___ que vous ___.

Real World Usage

Texting very common

Je suis trop content que tu viennes !

Job Interview common

Je suis ravi que vous m'ayez contacté.

Travel occasional

J'ai peur que le train soit annulé.

Food Delivery occasional

Je suis content que le repas soit arrivé chaud.

Social Media common

Je suis triste qu'il pleuve aujourd'hui.

Formal Letter common

Il est regrettable que nous ne puissions pas accepter.

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💡

Check the subject

Always check if the subject of the first and second verb is the same. If it is, use the infinitive!
⚠️

Don't forget irregulars

Verbs like 'être' and 'avoir' are irregular in the subjunctive. Memorize them first.
🎯

Use 'de' for same subject

Instead of 'que', use 'de' when the subject is the same.
💬

Subjunctive is elegant

Using the subjunctive correctly makes you sound much more sophisticated in French.

Smart Tips

Pause and check if the subject changes.

Je suis content que je viens. → Je suis content de venir.

Use the irregular subjunctive forms.

Je suis content qu'il est là. → Je suis content qu'il soit là.

Ask: Is this a fact or a feeling?

Je sais qu'il est là. → Je suis heureux qu'il soit là.

Use the 'ne explétif' with 'avoir peur'.

J'ai peur qu'il vienne. → J'ai peur qu'il ne vienne.

Pronunciation

parle (parl)

Subjunctive endings

The endings -e, -es, -e, -ent are silent.

par-li-ons

Nous/Vous forms

The -ions and -iez endings are pronounced clearly.

Emotional emphasis

Je suis HEUREUX que tu sois LÀ.

Highlights the emotion and the subject.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Feelings are subjective, so the verb must be subjunctive.

Visual Association

Imagine a heart icon floating above the verb. If the heart is there, the verb must change its shape.

Rhyme

When you feel a strong emotion, use the subjunctive for the motion.

Story

Marie is happy that Paul sings. She is sad that he leaves. She is afraid that he forgets her. Every time she feels, the verb changes.

Word Web

heureuxtristepeurraviregrettersurpriscontent

Challenge

Write 5 sentences about your day using 'Je suis content que' or 'J'ai peur que'.

Cultural Notes

The subjunctive is highly valued in formal French and is a marker of education.

In informal Quebecois, the subjunctive is sometimes replaced by the indicative, but it remains standard in writing.

French is used in formal settings, and the subjunctive is strictly observed in official documents.

The French subjunctive comes directly from the Latin subjunctive, which was used to express non-factual states.

Conversation Starters

“

Es-tu content que le week-end arrive ?

“

As-tu peur qu'il pleuve demain ?

“

Es-tu surpris que nous soyons déjà en retard ?

“

Es-tu ravi que le projet soit terminé ?

Journal Prompts

Write about a time you were happy about something someone else did.
Describe your fears for the future.
Write a letter to a friend expressing your regrets.
Discuss a recent news event and your emotional reaction to it.

Common Mistakes

Incorrect

Correct

Incorrect

Correct

Incorrect

Correct

Incorrect

Correct

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Test Yourself

Fill in the blank with the correct subjunctive form.

Je suis content que tu ___ (venir).

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: viennes
Subjunctive of venir is vienne.
Choose the correct sentence. Multiple Choice

Which is correct?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: b
Subjunctive is required.
Correct the error. Error Correction

Find and fix the mistake:

Je suis triste qu'il part.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: a
Subjunctive is required.
Transform the sentence. Sentence Transformation

Je suis content que je vienne. (Use infinitive)

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: a
Same subject, use infinitive.
Conjugate the verb. Conjugation Drill

Il est heureux que nous ___ (être) là.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: b
Subjunctive of être is soyons.
Match the emotion to the verb. Match Pairs

Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: b
Ravi means delighted.
Build a sentence. Sentence Building

que / tu / sois / heureux / je / suis

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: a
Correct order.
True or False? True False Rule

The subjunctive is used for facts.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: b
Subjunctive is for feelings.

Score: /8

Practice Exercises

8 exercises
Fill in the blank with the correct subjunctive form.

Je suis content que tu ___ (venir).

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: viennes
Subjunctive of venir is vienne.
Choose the correct sentence. Multiple Choice

Which is correct?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: b
Subjunctive is required.
Correct the error. Error Correction

Find and fix the mistake:

Je suis triste qu'il part.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: a
Subjunctive is required.
Transform the sentence. Sentence Transformation

Je suis content que je vienne. (Use infinitive)

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: a
Same subject, use infinitive.
Conjugate the verb. Conjugation Drill

Il est heureux que nous ___ (être) là.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: b
Subjunctive of être is soyons.
Match the emotion to the verb. Match Pairs

Match: Joy -> ?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: b
Ravi means delighted.
Build a sentence. Sentence Building

que / tu / sois / heureux / je / suis

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: a
Correct order.
True or False? True False Rule

The subjunctive is used for facts.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: b
Subjunctive is for feelings.

Score: /8

Practice Bank

10 exercises
Complete with the subjunctive form of 'faire'. Fill in the Blank

Elle est surprise que vous ___ du yoga.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: fassiez
Put the words in the correct order. Sentence Reorder

content / que / Je / sois / tu / suis / là

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Je suis content que tu sois là
Translate into French. Translation

I'm afraid he is sick.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: J'ai peur qu'il soit malade.
Choose the correct subjunctive form for 'avoir'. Multiple Choice

Nous sommes ravis que vous ___ le temps de venir.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: ayez
Correct the verb mood. Error Correction

C'est dommage qu'il part demain.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: C'est dommage qu'il parte demain.
Match the emotion to the verb form. Match Pairs

Match the pairs:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Je suis heureux que... : tu viennes
Use the subjunctive form of 'aller'. Fill in the Blank

Je suis content qu'ils ___ au restaurant.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: aillent
Pick the correct sentence for same-subject emotion. Multiple Choice

How do you say 'I am happy to win'?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Je suis content de gagner.
Fix the ending for 'nous'. Error Correction

Il est surpris que nous aimons le sushi.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Il est surpris que nous aimions le sushi.
Complete with the correct form of 'pouvoir'. Fill in the Blank

Je suis triste que tu ne ___ pas venir.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: puisses

Score: /10

FAQ (8)

To express feelings and subjectivity.

Yes, 'que' is the trigger.

Use the infinitive.

Yes, focus on 'être' and 'avoir'.

Yes, it's common.

It's standard in all registers.

Because it's different from English.

Write sentences about your feelings.

Scaffolded Practice

1

1

2

2

3

3

4

4

Mastery Progress

Needs Practice

Improving

Strong

Mastered

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In Other Languages

Spanish high

Subjuntivo

Spanish has a wider range of tenses for the subjunctive.

German low

Konjunktiv I/II

German uses the indicative for emotions.

Japanese none

None

Japanese uses particles to express subjectivity.

Arabic partial

Mansoub

Arabic mood is for syntax, not emotion.

Chinese none

None

Chinese is an isolating language.

English low

Subjunctive

English uses indicative for almost everything.

Learning Path

Prerequisites

Next
Expressing Joy: I'm happy that... (être heureux que)

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