Subjonctif with "regretter que"

Think of this structure as a bridge with three main parts. First, you have the person feeling the regret (the subject). Second, you have the verb regretter. Third, you have the word que. This que is the glue that holds everything together. Once you cross that que bridge, you enter the "Subjunctive Zone." In this zone, the verb that follows must change its form. Why? Because the emotion of the first part of the sentence is so strong it "infects" the second part. If you say "I regret that you are leaving," the "leaving" part gets the subjunctive treatment. It’s important to remember that you need two different people involved. You regret that *someone else* is doing something. If you are the one doing the action you regret, we use a different, easier shortcut. But for now, focus on that emotional bridge. It’s like a grammar traffic light that turns yellow, telling the next verb to be careful and change its shape.

1. 1To use this rule, you need to know how to build a Subjunctive verb. It follows a very predictable recipe for most verbs.
2. 2Start with the "they" form. Take the present tense ils/elles form of the verb. For example, for partir (to leave), it is partent.
3. 3Remove the ending. Chop off the -ent. This gives you your stem: part-.
4. 4Add the Subjunctive endings. These are: -e, -es, -e, -ions, -iez, -ent.
5. 5So, for tu, it becomes que tu partes. For nous, it becomes que nous partions.
6. 6Wait, there are a few rebels! Verbs like être (to be) and avoir (to have) don't follow the rules. They are irregular because they like the attention.
7. 7être becomes: sois, sois, soit, soyons, soyez, soient.
8. 8avoir becomes: aie, aies, ait, ayons, ayez, aient.
9. 9Formation is just like building a Lego set. Once you have the right pieces, they snap together perfectly every time.

Use this pattern whenever you want to express sadness or regret about a situation involving someone else. It is perfect for social situations. Imagine you are at a party and a friend has to leave early. You would say, Je regrette que tu partes déjà (I regret that you are leaving already). It shows you care!

In a job interview, you might hear: Nous regrettons que vous n'ayez pas d'expérience (We regret that you don't have experience). It’s a polite way to deliver bad news. You can also use it when asking for directions or ordering food if something is unavailable. "I regret that you don't have any more croissants" sounds very sophisticated in a bakery. Basically, any time there is a "that" after "regret" and a new person doing an action, reach for the Subjunctive. It makes your French sound fluid and emotionally intelligent. It’s the difference between sounding like a robot and sounding like a human with feelings.

This is the most important part to save you from extra work! Do not use the Subjunctive if the person regretting is the same person doing the action.

If I regret that *I* am late, I don't use que. I use de plus the infinitive.

• Correct: Je regrette d'être en retard (I regret being late).
• Incorrect: Je regrette que je sois en retard (This sounds very clunky and weird).

Think of it as the "Efficiency Rule." If you can say it with one subject, do it! Also, don't use the Subjunctive for simple facts where there is no emotion involved. Je pense que... (I think that...) uses the normal Indicative because thinking is seen as more "factual" than regretting. The Subjunctive is a diva; it only shows up when there is drama or emotion on stage. If there's no drama, keep it simple with the normal present tense.

One big mistake is using the word parce que (because) instead of que. In English, we might say "I'm sad because you're leaving." In French, regretter specifically wants que.

Another classic is forgetting the irregulars. Many people try to say que tu es after regretter, but it must be que tu sois. Using the normal present tense here is like wearing socks with sandals—people will understand you, but they'll know something is slightly off!

Also, watch out for the nous and vous forms. They look exactly like the Imparfait (the past tense). Don't let that confuse you! Even though they look like the past, in this context, they are very much about the present feeling. Lastly, don't forget the que. Without it, the bridge collapses, and the sentence doesn't make sense. It’s the most important tiny word in the French language.

You might wonder about Je suis désolé que... (I am sorry that...). Good news: it works exactly the same way! Both regretter que and être désolé que express a negative emotion, so both trigger the Subjunctive.

However, contrast this with Je sais que... (I know that...). Knowing is a fact. If you say Je sais que tu pars (I know you are leaving), you use the regular present tense (tu pars). But the moment you change "I know" to "I regret," the verb must transform into tu partes.

It’s like a light switch.

• Fact/Certainty = Indicative (Normal).
• Emotion/Regret = Subjunctive (Special).

Think of the Indicative as a photograph (exactly what happened) and the Subjunctive as a painting (how you feel about what happened). Both show the same scene, but the style is totally different.