Subjonctif après "il est important que"

In French, we have different "moods." The Indicative is for facts. The Subjunctive is for everything else: doubts, desires, and necessities. The phrase il est important que (it is important that) is a massive red flag. It tells the listener, "Hey! The next verb needs to be in the Subjunctive!" Why? Because you are expressing a subjective necessity. You are pushing your will or an obligation onto a situation. In English, we often skip this. We might just say "It's important that he goes." But in French, the verb aller (to go) must transform. It becomes il est important qu'il aille. Notice the three ingredients you need here. First, you need the trigger phrase: il est important. Second, you need the magic word que. Third, you need a subject and a verb. Without that que, the subjunctive stays in the cupboard. It’s like a traffic light. The que is the green light that tells the Subjunctive it’s time to move.

1. 1Creating the Subjunctive looks scary, but it’s actually a recycling project. Most of the time, you use parts of verbs you already know. Here is the 3-step recipe for regular verbs:
2. 2Go to the "ils" (they) form of the present tense. For parler, that is ils parlent.
3. 3Chop off the -ent ending. Now you have the "stem": parl-.
4. 4Add the special Subjunctive endings:
5. 5je: -e
6. 6tu: -es
7. 7il/elle/on: -e
8. 8nous: -ions
9. 9vous: -iez
10. 10ils/elles: -ent
11. 11Wait, did you notice something? The endings for je, tu, il, and ils look just like the regular present tense! The only ones that really stand out are nous and vous. They look like the Imparfait endings. It’s like the French language decided to have a costume party and everyone swapped hats. Just remember: Stem from "ils", add the endings, and you’re golden. Of course, there are some rebels (irregular verbs), but we will tackle those like a pro later.

You use this pattern whenever you want to emphasize that something is vital. Think of high-stakes situations. Imagine you are at a job interview. You might say, Il est important que je comprenne vos besoins (It is important that I understand your needs). Or maybe you are giving directions to a lost tourist. You’d say, Il est important que vous tourniez à gauche (It is important that you turn left). It shows that you care about the outcome. It adds a layer of politeness and urgency. You will also hear this in hospitals or from your boss. It’s the language of "getting things done." If you are ordering food and have an allergy, this is your best friend. Il est important que le chef sache pour mes allergies. It makes sure people pay attention to what you are saying.

This is a common trap! You only use the Subjunctive after que if there is a specific person (subject) following it. If you are speaking generally, you don't need the Subjunctive. Instead, you use de plus the infinitive (the basic form of the verb). For example: Il est important de dormir (It is important to sleep). Notice there is no que and no je/tu/il. It’s just a general piece of advice for the whole world. Another time to avoid it is when you are stating a simple fact without any necessity. If you say Je sais que tu es là (I know you are there), that is a fact. No subjunctive needed! Think of it like this: if you can add "I think it's vital" to the sentence, use the subjunctive. If it's just a boring observation, stick to the regular indicative.

Even native speakers trip over this sometimes, so don't be too hard on yourself! The biggest mistake is using the regular present tense. For example, saying Il est important que tu fais instead of Il est important que tu fasses. It sounds a bit "crunchy" to a French ear. Another big one is forgetting the irregular verbs. Avoir (to have) and être (to be) are the kings of the irregulars. You can't just follow the "ils" rule for them. Another mistake? Using the Subjunctive when there is no change of subject. If I say "It is important for me that I go," it's better to say Il est important que je parte. But often, if the subject is the same, French people prefer the infinitive. Finally, don't forget the que! Without it, the sentence falls apart like a wet croissant.

Let’s compare the Subjunctive with the Indicative. The Indicative is like a photograph; it shows what is actually happening. Tu pars (You are leaving). Simple. The Subjunctive is like a painting; it shows an idea or a necessity. Il est important que tu partes. It’s not a fact yet; it’s a requirement. Compare Il est évident que... (It is obvious that...) with Il est important que.... The first one is a fact, so it uses the Indicative. The second one is a necessity, so it uses the Subjunctive. It’s the difference between saying "The door is open" and "It’s important that the door be open." One is a description; the other is a command disguised as a suggestion. Understanding this contrast is the key to unlocking the "logic" of French grammar.