French Subjunctive: The Irregular Verb 'Aller' (to go)
Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds
The verb 'aller' in the subjunctive is highly irregular, using the stem 'aill-' for most forms and 'all-' for 'nous' and 'vous'.
- Use 'aill-' for je, tu, il/elle, and ils/elles: 'que j'aille'.
- Use 'all-' for nous and vous: 'que nous allions'.
- Always trigger the subjunctive after expressions of doubt, necessity, or emotion: 'Il faut que j'aille'.
Overview
The French Subjunctive mood signifies subjectivity, doubt, emotion, necessity, or desire, rather than objective fact. While many verbs follow predictable patterns, aller (to go) exhibits significant irregularity in the subjunctive, requiring specific memorization. Given its high frequency in everyday French, mastering the subjunctive forms of aller is crucial for B1 learners aiming for natural and nuanced communication.
This irregularity stems from historical linguistic evolution, where phonetic changes led to distinct forms that persist in contemporary usage. Understanding these forms and their contexts allows you to express nuanced intentions that the indicative mood cannot convey.
How This Grammar Works
que (that), following a main clause that expresses a particular attitude or condition. This structure is essential: the main clause conveys the speaker's subjective stance, and the subordinate clause, containing the subjunctive verb, describes the action or state upon which that subjectivity is cast. The indicative mood, in contrast, is used for factual statements or certainty.je vais au marché (I am going to the market) is a statement of fact, while il faut que j'aille au marché (it is necessary that I go to the market) introduces necessity.Je veux partir. – I want to leave). However, when the subjects diverge, the subjunctive becomes obligatory (Je veux que tu partes. – I want you to leave).aller in the subjunctive, particularly its stem changes, reflects its ancient origins and integration into the core expressive fabric of French. These changes are not arbitrary; they are the result of centuries of phonetic reduction and consolidation, making the forms distinct and often phonetically smoother than what a regular conjugation might yield. The presence of que is the primary structural indicator that a subjunctive form might be required, prompting a consideration of the main clause's meaning.Il faut que... (It is necessary that...). This impersonal construction always triggers the subjunctive in the following clause because il faut expresses a necessity, a subjective judgment, rather than a fact about the world. For aller, this means transforming il faut que tu vas (incorrect, indicative) into il faut que tu ailles (correct, subjunctive).va- stem to the more fluid aill- or all- stems marks the transition from objective reality to subjective implication, enriching the communicative potential of the language. This subtle but profound distinction is central to advanced French grammar.Formation Pattern
aller in the present subjunctive requires memorizing two distinct stems, often referred to as the “boot” or “shoe” pattern due to their visual representation in conjugation tables. The majority of forms (first, second, third person singular, and third person plural) utilize one stem, while the first and second person plural forms use another.
aill- Stem: This stem is employed for je, tu, il/elle/on, and ils/elles. To this stem, the standard subjunctive endings are appended:
je -> -e
tu -> -es
il/elle/on -> -e
ils/elles -> -ent
aille, ailles, aille, and aillent is identical: /aj/ (similar to the English word “eye” but with a slightly softer 'y' sound at the end). The final -e, -es, and -ent are silent, a common feature in French verbal endings.
all- Stem: This stem, which closely resembles the infinitive aller, is used exclusively for nous and vous. The endings are the same as those for the imperfect indicative:
nous -> -ions
vous -> -iez
nous allions and /alje/ for vous alliez. The final -s of allions and -z of alliez are silent unless a liaison occurs with a following vowel sound (e.g., que nous allions à l'école becomes /aljɔ̃za/).
aller in the present subjunctive:
que j'aille | aille | /aj/ | Il faut que j'aille à la réunion. | It is necessary that I go to the meeting. |
que tu ailles | ailles | /aj/ | Je souhaite que tu ailles mieux. | I wish that you get better. |
qu'il/elle/on aille | aille | /aj/ | Il est important qu'il aille voir le médecin. | It is important that he go see the doctor. |
que nous allions | allions | /aljɔ̃/ | Je suis content que nous allions ensemble. | I am happy that we go together. |
que vous alliez | alliez | /alje/ | J'exige que vous alliez vous excuser. | I demand that you go apologize. |
qu'ils/elles aillent | aillent | /aj/ | Je doute qu'elles aillent à cette fête. | I doubt that they go to that party. |
je, tu, il/elle/on, and ils/elles, and their uniform pronunciation. The distinctive forms for nous and vous are crucial for accurate usage and comprehension. The apostrophe in qu' is used before a vowel sound, as seen in qu'il aille or qu'elles aillent, due to elision.
When To Use It
aller is triggered by specific contexts in the main clause, typically expressing subjectivity. Here are the primary scenarios:- Expressions of Necessity, Obligation, or Importance: When the main clause conveys that something
mustorshouldhappen, or that it isimportant. Il faut que...(It is necessary that...): This is the most common trigger.Il faut que j'aille chercher les enfants à l'école.(It is necessary that I go pick up the children from school.)Il est important que...,Il est essentiel que...,Il est nécessaire que...(It is important/essential/necessary that...).Il est essentiel que tu ailles à la réunion pour comprendre les enjeux.(It is essential that you go to the meeting to understand the issues.)Il vaut mieux que...(It is better that...).Il vaut mieux que nous allions au supermarché avant la fermeture.(It is better that we go to the supermarket before closing.)
- Expressions of Desire, Will, or Command: When the main clause indicates a wish, demand, or preference for someone else's action.
Je veux que...,J'aimerais que...,Je souhaite que...(I want/would like/wish that...).Je veux que vous alliez voir cette exposition.(I want you to go see this exhibition.)J'ordonne que...,J'exige que...(I order/demand that...).J'exige qu'il aille s'excuser immédiatement.(I demand that he go apologize immediately.)
- Expressions of Emotion or Judgment: When the main clause expresses a feeling (joy, sadness, fear, surprise) or a subjective judgment about the action in the subordinate clause.
Je suis content(e) que...,Je suis heureux(se) que...(I am happy that...).Je suis ravi que tu ailles mieux après ta maladie.(I am delighted that you are getting better after your illness.)Je suis triste que...,Je regrette que...(I am sad/regret that...).Je suis triste qu'elles aillent si loin pour leurs études.(I am sad that they are going so far for their studies.)J'ai peur que...(I am afraid that...).J'ai peur que nous n'allions pas réussir à temps.(I am afraid that we are not going to succeed in time.) (Note theneexplétif, optional but common withcraindreandavoir peur).
- Expressions of Doubt, Uncertainty, or Possibility: When the main clause suggests a lack of certainty or merely a possibility regarding the action.
Je doute que...(I doubt that...).Je doute qu'il aille à l'étranger cette année.(I doubt that he goes abroad this year.)Il est possible que...,Il se peut que...(It is possible that...).Il est possible que vous alliez devoir travailler le week-end.(It is possible that you will have to work on the weekend.)- Negative or Interrogative expressions of opinion:
Je ne pense pas que...,Croyez-vous que...?(I don't think that..., Do you believe that...?).Je ne crois pas qu'il aille en France prochainement.(I don't believe that he is going to France soon.)
- Certain Conjunctions: Several conjunctions inherently introduce uncertainty, purpose, or concession, thus requiring the subjunctive.
afin que,pour que(so that, in order that).Je parle lentement pour que tu ailles comprendre.(I speak slowly so that you go understand.)avant que(before).Terminons ce rapport avant qu'ils n'aillent en réunion.(Let's finish this report before they go into a meeting.) (Again,neexplétif possible).bien que,quoique(although, even though).Bien que tu ailles souvent à Paris, tu ne connais pas ce quartier.(Even though you go to Paris often, you don't know this neighborhood.)sans que(without).Il est parti sans que je n'aille le voir.(He left without me going to see him.)
aller is required. The underlying principle is always the expression of subjectivity in the main clause, making the action in the subordinate clause contingent on that subjective attitude.Common Mistakes
aller in the subjunctive, primarily due to its irregularity and the conceptual difference between the indicative and subjunctive moods. Understanding these pitfalls is crucial for accurate usage.- Confusing Subjunctive with Indicative Present: The most prevalent error is using the present indicative forms of
aller(je vais,tu vas, etc.) in contexts that demand the subjunctive. This happens because the indicative is the default
Subjunctive 'Aller' Conjugation
| Subject | Stem | Ending | Full Form |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Je
|
aill
|
e
|
que j'aille
|
|
Tu
|
aill
|
es
|
que tu ailles
|
|
Il/Elle
|
aill
|
e
|
qu'il aille
|
|
Nous
|
all
|
ions
|
que nous allions
|
|
Vous
|
all
|
iez
|
que vous alliez
|
|
Ils/Elles
|
aill
|
ent
|
qu'ils aillent
|
Meanings
The subjunctive mood is used to express subjectivity, doubt, or necessity. 'Aller' is irregular in this mood, requiring specific stem changes.
Requirement/Necessity
Used after 'Il faut que' or 'Il est nécessaire que'.
“Il faut que j'aille chez le médecin.”
“Il est nécessaire qu'elle aille à Paris.”
Doubt/Emotion
Used after verbs expressing doubt or feelings.
“Je doute qu'il aille à cette fête.”
“Je suis triste qu'ils aillent si loin.”
Reference Table
| Form | Structure | Example |
|---|---|---|
|
Affirmative
|
Il faut que + [subj]
|
Il faut que j'aille.
|
|
Negative
|
Il faut que + ne + [subj] + pas
|
Il faut que je n'aille pas.
|
|
Question
|
Est-il nécessaire que + [subj]?
|
Est-il nécessaire que tu ailles?
|
|
1st Person Plural
|
que + nous + allions
|
Je veux que nous allions.
|
|
2nd Person Plural
|
que + vous + alliez
|
Je veux que vous alliez.
|
|
3rd Person Plural
|
que + ils + aillent
|
Je veux qu'ils aillent.
|
Formality Spectrum
Il est nécessaire que j'aille. (Leaving a meeting)
Il faut que j'aille. (Leaving a meeting)
Faut que j'aille. (Leaving a meeting)
J'dois filer. (Leaving a meeting)
The Aller Subjunctive Map
Stems
- aill- singular/3rd-plural
- all- 1st/2nd plural
Triggers
- Il faut que It is necessary that
- Je doute que I doubt that
Examples by Level
Il faut que j'aille.
I have to go.
Il faut que tu ailles à l'école.
You have to go to school.
Je doute qu'il aille à la fête.
I doubt he is going to the party.
Il est impératif que nous allions ensemble.
It is imperative that we go together.
Bien qu'ils aillent souvent là-bas, ils ne connaissent rien.
Although they go there often, they know nothing.
Il se peut qu'ils aillent jusqu'au bout de leur projet.
It is possible that they will go to the end of their project.
Easily Confused
Learners mix up 'je vais' (fact) and 'que j'aille' (necessity).
Mixing up the stems of different irregular verbs.
Using 'aill-' for nous/vous.
Common Mistakes
Il faut que je vais.
Il faut que j'aille.
Il faut que j'allie.
Il faut que j'aille.
Il faut j'aille.
Il faut que j'aille.
Il faut que je aille.
Il faut que j'aille.
Il faut que nous aillions.
Il faut que nous allions.
Il faut que vous ailliez.
Il faut que vous alliez.
Il faut que ils aillent.
Il faut qu'ils aillent.
Je veux qu'il va.
Je veux qu'il aille.
Il est important qu'il allie.
Il est important qu'il aille.
Je doute qu'ils vont.
Je doute qu'ils aillent.
Bien qu'il aille, il ne veut pas.
Bien qu'il aille, il ne veut pas.
Sentence Patterns
Il faut que ___ aille.
Je veux que nous ___.
___ qu'ils aillent au travail.
Bien qu'ils ___ là-bas, ils sont tristes.
Real World Usage
Faut qu'j'aille, à plus !
Je souhaite que nous allions de l'avant.
Il est important que vous alliez à ce musée.
Il faut que j'aille voir ce film !
Il faut que j'aille chercher ma commande.
Bien qu'ils aillent à l'encontre de la théorie...
The 'Nous/Vous' Rule
Don't skip 'que'
Listen for 'Il faut que'
Keep it natural
Smart Tips
Use 'Il faut que j'aille' to sound natural.
Remember: 'Nous' and 'vous' are the 'all-' group.
Use 'Il est nécessaire que nous allions' instead of 'Il faut que'.
Always follow 'Je doute que' with the subjunctive.
Pronunciation
Elision
Always elide 'que' to 'qu'' before 'j'aille' or 'ils aillent'.
Necessity
Il faut que j'aille ↘
Falling intonation indicates a firm requirement.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Think of 'Aille' as 'I'll' (I will go).
Visual Association
Imagine a person with two heads: one head says 'Aille' and the other says 'All'. The 'Aille' head is for the small group (singular), the 'All' head is for the big group (nous/vous).
Rhyme
Pour aller, je dis 'aille', pour nous, 'allions' sans faille.
Story
I wanted to go to the party, but my boss said 'Il faut que tu ailles au travail'. I felt sad that I couldn't go, so I told my friends 'Je doute qu'ils aillent sans moi'.
Word Web
Challenge
Write 5 sentences using 'Il faut que' + 'aller' for different subjects in 5 minutes.
Cultural Notes
The subjunctive is used frequently in daily speech, especially 'Il faut que j'aille'.
Similar usage, but often more informal in spoken language.
Standard French usage applies in formal education.
The subjunctive 'aller' stems from the Latin 'vadere' (to go) and 'ire' (to go).
Conversation Starters
Il faut que tu ailles où ce week-end ?
Est-il nécessaire que nous allions à cette réunion ?
Je doute qu'ils aillent à la fête, et toi ?
Souhaites-tu que nous allions au cinéma ?
Journal Prompts
Common Mistakes
Test Yourself
Il faut que je ___ au travail.
Je veux que nous ___ au cinéma.
Find and fix the mistake:
Il faut que ils aillent.
Arrange the words in the correct order:
All words placed
Click words above to build the sentence
It is necessary that you (plural) go.
Answer starts with: Il ...
Je doute qu'il ___ à la fête.
Il est important qu'ils ___ à l'heure.
Il faut que / tu / aller
Score: /8
Practice Exercises
8 exercisesIl faut que je ___ au travail.
Je veux que nous ___ au cinéma.
Find and fix the mistake:
Il faut que ils aillent.
que / j'aille / faut / Il
It is necessary that you (plural) go.
Je doute qu'il ___ à la fête.
Il est important qu'ils ___ à l'heure.
Il faut que / tu / aller
Score: /8
Practice Bank
10 exercisesIl est possible qu'elle ___ à Lyon ce week-end.
faut / j' / que / aille / il / partir
Translate: I want you to go.
Match the pairs:
Identify the correct version:
Select the phrase that requires the subjunctive:
Désolé, faut que j'___ ! À plus !
que / Je / allions / veux / nous / ensemble
Translate into French:
Pick the odd one out:
Score: /10
FAQ (8)
It is a historical remnant. The stem 'aill-' was adopted to distinguish it from the indicative 'all-' forms.
No, that is grammatically incorrect. 'Il faut que' triggers the subjunctive.
No, only for singular and third-person plural. 'Nous' and 'vous' use 'all-'.
Look for triggers like 'Il faut que', 'Je veux que', or 'Je doute que'.
Yes, especially 'Il faut que j'aille'.
'Allions' is subjunctive, 'allons' is indicative.
Yes, 'être', 'avoir', 'faire', 'savoir', and 'pouvoir' are also irregular.
No, the stem remains the same in the negative.
Scaffolded Practice
1
2
3
4
Mastery Progress
Needs Practice
Improving
Strong
Mastered
In Other Languages
Vaya
Spanish uses 'vaya' instead of 'aille'.
Konjunktiv I/II
German relies more on modal verbs than a separate subjunctive mood.
Volitional/Imperative
Japanese does not have a subjunctive mood.
Jussive/Subjunctive
The conjugation system is entirely different.
Modal particles
Chinese has no verb conjugation.
Subjunctive (rare)
English subjunctive is not conjugated for person.
Learning Path
Prerequisites
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