Subjunctive - After Expressions of Doubt

This grammar point relies on "triggers." A trigger is a specific phrase that forces the verb into the Subjunctive. In this case, the trigger is an expression of doubt. Most of these phrases use the word que. This word acts like a bridge. On one side, you have your doubt. On the other side, you have the Subjunctive verb. Without the bridge, the sentence falls apart. You cannot just use the Subjunctive whenever you feel doubtful. You must have a formal trigger phrase to start the engine. It’s like a secret handshake. Once you say Je doute que, the next verb has no choice. It must change its form. Even native speakers sometimes find this tricky. Don't worry if it feels weird at first. You are basically learning to speak in "uncertainty."

1. 1To use this rule, you first need to build a Subjunctive verb. Follow these three steps for most regular verbs:
2. 2Start with the ils/elles form of the present tense.
3. 3Remove the -ent ending to find your stem.
4. 4Add the Subjunctive endings: -e, -es, -e, -ions, -iez, -ent.
5. 5For example, with finir (to finish):
6. 6The ils form is finissent.
7. 7Your stem is finiss-.
8. 8You say: Je doute qu'il finisse.
9. 9Irregular verbs like être, avoir, and faire have their own special stems. You will need to memorize those separately. Think of them as the rebels of the French language. They don't follow the rules, but they are very popular.

You use the Subjunctive after phrases that show you aren't sure something is true. Here are the most common scenarios:

• When you literally doubt something: Je doute que... (I doubt that...).
• When something is unlikely: Il est peu probable que... (It is unlikely that...).
• When something is just possible: Il est possible que... (It is possible that...).
• When you deny something: Je nie que... (I deny that...).

Imagine you are in a job interview. If you say "It is possible I can start Monday," use the Subjunctive. It shows you are being careful. If you are ordering food and aren't sure if they have snails, use it. It is the polite way to express uncertainty. It adds a layer of nuance to your speech. It makes you sound more like a local and less like a robot.

This is where many people get tripped up. Do not use the Subjunctive for things you are sure about. Phrases like Je pense que or Je crois que usually take the Indicative. Why? Because in your mind, you are stating a belief you hold as true. Even if you are wrong, you are acting certain.

• Je pense qu'il vient. (Indicative - I think he's coming).
• Je ne pense pas qu'il vienne. (Subjunctive - I don't think he's coming).

Also, watch out for se douter. It looks like douter, but it means "to suspect" or "to assume." Because you "know" something is happening, it stays in the Indicative. It’s a classic French trap. Don't fall for it! Think of it like a false friend in a movie. It looks nice, but it's trying to trick your grammar.

The biggest mistake is using the Subjunctive with espérer (to hope). In English, hoping feels uncertain. In French, the rules say hope is positive enough to stay Indicative. You say J'espère qu'il viendra (Future/Indicative), not the Subjunctive. Another mistake is forgetting to change the stem for irregular verbs. Saying Je doute que tu fasses is correct. Saying Je doute que tu fais will make a French person's ears twitch. Also, don't forget the que. It is the glue holding the whole thing together. If you drop the que, the Subjunctive trigger loses its power. It’s like trying to drive a car without a key. It just won't go anywhere.

Compare expressions of doubt with expressions of certainty.

• Certainty: Il est certain que..., Il est vrai que..., Il est évident que... -> Use Indicative.
• Doubt: Il est incertain que..., Il est faux que..., Il est douteux que... -> Use Subjunctive.

Think of it as a binary switch. Is there a shadow of a doubt? If yes, flip the Subjunctive switch. If it’s a cold, hard fact, keep it in the Indicative. This contrast is very important for B1 learners. It shows you understand the logic of the language. It’s not just about memorizing words. It’s about understanding the speaker's perspective. Are they standing on solid ground or on shaky ice?