Subjonctif present - irregular être

Most French verbs are logical. You take a root, add an ending, and you are done. Not être. It decides to be completely different. The Subjunctive mood is used after certain phrases that express subjectivity. This means things like emotions, doubts, desires, or necessity. It is not about what is happening for sure. It is about how you feel about it or if it needs to happen. For example, saying "You are happy" is a fact (Indicative). Saying "I want you to be happy" is a desire (Subjunctive). In French, you almost always need the word que (that) to trigger this mood. It is the "gatekeeper" of the Subjunctive. When you see que after a verb of feeling, get ready. The verb être is about to change its clothes.

1. 1Learning the forms of être in the Subjunctive is purely about memory. There is no secret trick or hidden logic here. You just have to learn the six forms. Here is how they look:
2. 2que je sois (that I be/am)
3. 3que tu sois (that you be/are)
4. 4qu'il soit / qu'elle soit / qu'on soit (that he/she/it/one be/is)
5. 5que nous soyons (that we be/are)
6. 6que vous soyez (that you be/are)
7. 7qu'ils soient / qu'elles soient (that they be/are)
8. 8Notice how the "nous" and "vous" forms have a y. This is a classic French move to make things look more elegant. The "je" and "tu" forms look identical but sound the same too. In fact, sois, sois, soit, and soient all sound exactly the same in spoken French. You only see the difference when you write it down. This is a huge relief for speaking! Just make a "swah" sound and you are 90% there.

The Subjunctive is not used randomly. It is triggered by specific situations. Think of these as "Vibes." If the vibe is subjective, use it.

• Necessity: This is the most common trigger for beginners. The phrase il faut que (it is necessary that) is a Subjunctive magnet. If you are in a job interview and the boss says, "Il faut que vous soyez ponctuel" (It is necessary that you be punctual), they are using the Subjunctive.
• Wishes and Desires: When you want someone else to do something. "Je veux que tu sois là" (I want you to be there). You are not saying they *are* there; you are saying you *want* them to be.
• Emotions: If you feel something about a situation. "Je suis ravi que tu sois mon ami" (I am delighted that you are my friend). Your delight triggers the mood.
• Doubts: "Je ne pense pas qu'il soit prêt" (I don't think he is ready). Because you are doubting, the fact is no longer a fact.
• Ordering Food: Imagine you are at a fancy Parisian bistro. You tell the waiter, "Il est important que la soupe soit chaude" (It is important that the soup be hot). You are expressing a requirement, so être becomes soit.

Do not overthink it! If you are stating a plain fact, stay away from the Subjunctive.

• Certainty: Phrases like je sais que (I know that) or je pense que (I think that - when positive) use the normal Indicative. "Je sais qu'il est gentil" (I know he is kind). No drama, no Subjunctive.
• Observations: "Je vois que tu es fatigué" (I see that you are tired). You are just reporting what your eyes see.
• No "Que": If there is no que, you usually cannot have a Subjunctive. "Je veux être riche" (I want to be rich) uses the infinitive because there is only one subject (me). You only need the Subjunctive when you have two different people involved (I want *you* to be...).

• Confusing "est" and "soit": This is the big one. Beginners often say il faut qu'il est because est is the first form of "is" they learned. Remember: il faut que is like a red light. You must stop and change to soit.
• Spelling "soient": Many people forget the nt at the end for the plural "they." Even though you don't hear it, it has to be there for your teacher to be happy.
• The "i" in "soyons" and "soyez": Sometimes learners write soions. Don't do that! The y is the star of the show for the "we" and "you" forms.
• Using it with "espère": This is a weird French rule. Even though hoping feels like a wish, the verb espérer usually takes the normal future or present. "J'espère qu'il sera là" (I hope he will be there). It is the one exception that breaks the "feeling" rule. It's like that one friend who refuses to follow the dress code.

Let’s compare the "Fact" (Indicative) with the "Vibe" (Subjunctive):

• Fact: Tu es sage (You are well-behaved). This is a statement.
• Vibe: Sois sage ! (Behave! - Imperative). This actually uses the Subjunctive form because commands are subjective.
• Fact: Elle est en retard (She is late). Just a report.
• Vibe: Il est dommage qu'elle soit en retard (It is a shame that she is late). The "shame" turns the fact into a feeling.
• Fact: Nous sommes ici (We are here).
• Vibe: Bien que nous soyons ici... (Even though we are here...). The word "even though" (bien que) always wants the Subjunctive.