Subjonctif après "à moins que"

Think of à moins que as a bridge. On one side, you have your main action. On the other side, you have the exception. The magic happens because this bridge requires a special mood: the subjunctive. Why? Because the exception is a possibility, not a guaranteed fact. In French, when things are uncertain or conditional, the subjunctive usually shows up to the party. You are essentially saying, "This will happen, but only if this other thing doesn't get in the way." It creates a logical link that keeps your sentences tight and clear. It is much better than using three short sentences to explain one simple idea.

1. 1Using this phrase follows a very specific recipe. Follow these steps to get it right every time:
2. 2Start with your main clause (the thing that will happen).
3. 3Add the connector à moins que.
4. 4Optional: Add a small ne before the verb. This is the "ne explétif." It doesn't mean "not"! It just adds a formal, rhythmic touch. Native speakers use it to sound polished.
5. 5Use the subject of your condition.
6. 6Conjugate the verb in the Subjunctive mood.
7. 7Example: Je viens, à moins qu'il ne pleuve. (I'm coming, unless it rains.)

You will use this whenever you want to express a "plan B" or a deal-breaker.

• Ordering Food: "I'll take the soup, unless you have the daily special." (Je prends la soupe, à moins que vous n'ayez le plat du jour.)
• Job Interviews: "I can start Monday, unless you need me sooner." (Je peux commencer lundi, à moins que vous n'ayez besoin de moi plus tôt.)
• Asking Directions: "I will walk there, unless it is too far." (J'irai à pied, à moins que ce ne soit trop loin.)
• Social Plans: "We are eating at 8:00, unless Sarah is late again." (Classic Sarah, right?)

This is the golden rule of French connectors. If the person doing the action in the first part is the same as the person in the second part, do not use à moins que. If you do, it sounds repetitive and clunky. Instead, use à moins de followed by an infinitive verb.

• Same Subject: "I won't go unless I finish my work." -> Je n'irai pas à moins de finir mon travail.
• Different Subjects: "I won't go unless you finish your work." -> Je n'irai pas à moins que tu ne finisses ton travail.

Think of it like this: if you can say "unless I [verb]" in English, use à moins de. If you say "unless [someone else] [verbs]", use à moins que.

The most common trip-up is using the regular present tense (the indicative) instead of the subjunctive. Even native speakers do this when they are in a rush, but for your exams or formal writing, the subjunctive is a must. Another mistake is thinking the ne makes the sentence negative. If you say à moins qu'il ne vienne, you are saying "unless he comes," not "unless he doesn't come." It is a "ghost ne"—it is there for style, not for meaning. Finally, don't forget the que! Sometimes learners just say à moins, which sounds like you stopped talking in the middle of a thought.

You might be tempted to use si... ne... pas (if... not...). While S'il ne pleut pas, je viendrai (If it doesn't rain, I will come) is grammatically correct, it feels a bit basic. À moins qu'il ne pleuve is more focused on the exception itself. It highlights the rain as the only thing stopping you. It's the difference between saying "If it's not raining" and "Unless it rains." One is a general condition; the other is a specific exception. Also, remember that si uses the indicative, while à moins que demands that fancy subjunctive.