Subjunctive - After Expressions of Will/Desire

You need a specific structure for this mood. First, you need a verb of will. This is the "trigger" verb. Then, you must use the word que. This is the "bridge" to the next part. Next, you need a new subject. Finally, you add the subjunctive verb. This is the "action." This structure is very rigid. You cannot skip the que. You cannot skip the new subject. It is like a train. Each car must be in the right order. If one is missing, the train stops. The most important rule is the "Two-Subject Rule." You must have two different people involved. I want *you* to do something. She wants *us* to stay. If there is only one person, use the infinitive. It is like a grammar traffic light. Red means stop and check your subjects. Green means go ahead with the subjunctive.

1. 1Start with the ils form of the present tense.
2. 2Remove the -ent ending from that verb.
3. 3This gives you your subjunctive stem.
4. 4Add the specific subjunctive endings to that stem.
5. 5For je, add the ending -e.
6. 6For tu, add the ending -es.
7. 7For il/elle/on, add the ending -e.
8. 8For nous, add the ending -ions.
9. 9For vous, add the ending -iez.
10. 10For ils/elles, add the ending -ent.
11. 11It is like a puzzle. You just need the right pieces. Most verbs follow this rule perfectly. For example, finir becomes finiss-. Then you add -e to get que je finisse. Some verbs are rebels, though. We call these irregular verbs. Verbs like être, avoir, and faire have their own stems. You will need to memorize those separately. But don't worry. You can do it with a little practice!

Use it after verbs of wanting. Use it after verbs of wishing. Use it after verbs of demanding. Vouloir is the most common trigger. Je veux que tu m'aides. (I want you to help me). This is perfect for the roommate struggle. Désirer is a bit more formal. Elle désire que vous soyez heureux. (She desires that you be happy). Exiger is for when you are the boss. Le prof exige que nous fassions l'exercice. (The teacher demands we do the exercise). Aimer que and préférer que are also triggers. J'aimerais que tu viennes à ma fête. (I would like you to come to my party). These verbs show your internal world. They show your impact on others. Use them in job interviews. Use them when ordering specific food. "I want my steak to be rare." Use them when asking for directions. "I would like you to show me the way."

This is the most important part. You need two different people. If you are the only subject, use the infinitive. Je veux partir. (I want to leave). Only one subject: me. Je veux que tu partes. (I want you to leave). Two subjects: me and you. If you use the subjunctive with one subject, it sounds weird. It is like wearing two hats at once. Just don't do it! Also, watch out for the verb espérer. Even though it is a wish, it uses the indicative. J'espère qu'il viendra. (I hope he will come). French grammar has its little quirks. Think of espérer as the exception to the rule. It is the weird cousin of the desire family. It prefers the simple life of the indicative. Always check your verb before you jump into the subjunctive.

The biggest mistake is forgetting the que. In English, we say "I want you to go." In French, you must say "I want *that* you go." Another mistake is using the wrong stem. Always go back to the ils form. Don't use the nous stem for the je form. Also, watch out for the nous and vous forms. They look exactly like the imperfect tense. Que nous mangions looks like "we were eating." Context will help you tell them apart. Don't let it confuse you! Many learners use the indicative because it feels safer. But the subjunctive shows you are a B1 master. It shows you understand the nuances of the language. If you make a mistake, don't sweat it. Even Parisians trip over these stems sometimes. Just keep practicing and it will become natural.

The indicative is for facts. "The sun is hot." This is a photograph of reality. The subjunctive is for possibilities. "I want the sun to be hot." This is a painting of your vision. The infinitive is for simple, single-person actions. "I want to eat a croissant." The subjunctive is for shared or influenced actions. "I want you to buy a croissant." Think of the indicative as a news report. It tells you what is happening. Think of the subjunctive as a movie script. It tells the actors what to do. One is objective. The other is subjective. This is why it is called the "subjunctive." It lives in the subject's mind and heart. It is not about the world outside. It is about the world inside you.