Subjonctif present - irregular aller

In French, we have different moods. The indicative mood is for facts. The subjunctive mood is for the subjective. This includes desires, doubts, and obligations. It usually follows the word que. This que acts like a bridge. It connects two different parts of a sentence. For example, "I want that you go." In French, this requires the subjunctive. The verb aller changes its look completely here. It does not look like je vais. It transforms into something new. This might feel like a surprise at first. Think of it like a grammar costume party. aller is just wearing a special outfit. You use it when things are uncertain. You use it when you express a need. It is the "maybe" or "should" zone of language.

1. 1Most French verbs follow a standard recipe. aller likes to be different. It uses two different stems. We call this the "boot" pattern. Imagine a boot on a conjugation table. The subjects inside the boot use one stem. The subjects outside use another. Here is how you build it:
2. 2Use the stem aill- for most people.
3. 3This applies to je, tu, il, and ils.
4. 4Use the stem all- for the "we" and "you" forms.
5. 5This applies to nous and vous.
6. 6Add the standard subjunctive endings to these stems.
7. 7The endings are -e, -es, -e, -ions, -iez, -ent.
8. 8So, je becomes que j'aille. Nous becomes que nous allions. It looks like the imperfect for nous and vous. That is a helpful little shortcut for your brain! Yes, even native speakers appreciate these patterns.

When do you pull out this special verb? Use it after expressions of necessity. The most famous one is il faut que. This means "it is necessary that." If you need to go to the store, use it. Il faut que j'aille au magasin. Use it for wishes and desires too. If you want a friend to go somewhere, use it. Je veux que tu ailles à la fête. It is perfect for giving gentle advice. Use it in a job interview context. "It is important that I go to the meeting." Il est important que j'aille à la réunion. You can also use it for emotions. "I am happy that you are going." Je suis heureux que vous alliez. It adds flavor to your requests. It makes you sound polite and sophisticated. Think of it as a grammar traffic light. It tells the listener we are in "feeling" mode.

Do not use the subjunctive for certainties. If you are just stating a fact, stay away. Use the indicative instead. For example, je pense que usually takes the indicative. "I think I am going" is je pense que je vais. It sounds weird, but "thinking" is a fact in French. Do not use it after il est certain que. If there is no doubt, there is no subjunctive. Also, do not use it if there is no que. If the subject does not change, use the infinitive. Instead of "I want that I go," say "I want to go." That is je veux aller. It is much simpler! Using the subjunctive there would be overkill. It is like using a sledgehammer to crack a nut.

Many people forget the i in the nous form. They write allons instead of allions. That i is very important! It signals the subjunctive mood. Without it, you are back in the present tense. Another mistake is using aill- for everyone. People might say que nous aillions. This is incorrect and sounds quite strange. Remember the boot! Only the "inner" subjects get the aill- stem. Some learners also forget the que. The subjunctive almost always needs its partner que. It is like a dance duo. One cannot perform without the other. Finally, do not confuse aille with ail (garlic). They sound the same, but one is a verb! Unless you are cooking, stick to the verb.

Let us compare the present and the subjunctive. In the present, you say je vais. This is a direct statement. "I am going." In the subjunctive, you say que j'aille. This is a dependent thought. "...that I go." Notice the spelling change. The present tense is for your daily routine. The subjunctive is for your goals and requirements. Compare it to the imperfect too. Nous allions is the same in both! This can be confusing. Context is your best friend here. If you see il faut que, it is subjunctive. If you are talking about the past, it is imperfect. It is like a twin situation. They look the same, but they have different jobs.