Subjunctive

Subjunctive and code

The subjunctive is employed to underline an uncertainty or an unreality, where the code would indicate of a certainty. For example:

It seems that I cannot not do it. (opinion, uncertainty)/I cannot not do it. (observation)

It is possible that it comes . (uncertainty)/It is certain that it will come . (certainty)

I seek a hotel which has a swimming pool with a basin for the small ones. (for the moment it is a fantastic notion and perhaps there does not exist)/I seek a hotel which has a swimming pool with a basin for the small ones. (I know that such a hotel exists, I want to identify it)

The subjunctive is also used to express an actual fact, but by presenting it like a thought or an idea considered. Whereas the code would be used to bring back a fact as tel. For example:

That afflicts me that it was annoyed with his parents. (it is about an actual fact, but in this sentence he from the start presented as is considered by somebody who has an opinion or emotion about it)/He was annoyed with his parents, that afflicts me. (the fact first of all is reported “objectively” to last composed, then an opinion is expressed about it)

That it was born in 1475, it is proven, it does not have no doubt there on top. (the fact is first of all presented like an assumption, an opinion, which one specifies then that it is in any point in conformity with reality)/It was proven that it had been born in 1475. (made brought back simply)

Subjunctives imperfect and pluperfect

The subjunctives imperfect and pluperfect can replace the subjunctives present and last at the way in which the Imparfait and the Plus-que-parfait replace the present and the Passé made up at the time of the Sequence of tenses when the verb of principal is with the past. Ex:

It hates that I come without preventing. /She hated that I came without preventing.

One is astonished that it left without saying goodbye. /One was astonished that it had left without saying goodbye.

At the beginning of XXIe century, the sequence of tenses of the subjunctive is not regarded any more as necessary and only is little practiced.

Uses of the subjunctive

Attention, it is not because there is a subordinating conjunction which one will employ inevitably the subjunctive. The subjunctive was in the beginning business of direction, of Sémantique, not of “mechanics”. Nevertheless the semantic criterion is not rigorous any more, and controls it French subjunctive requires much practice and effort the abroads.

One finds the subjunctive in the proposals subordinated after the majority of the verbs which express:

will, the desire, the wish:

I would like that you came without delaying.

obligation, need:
- the possibility, impossibility, probability, the doubt, uncertainty, the assumption:
I doubt that they sell at this price.
- emotion, the feeling, the appreciation:
I delighted that it is with us.
I like well that you came to visit me.
One as finds it after the majority of the adjectival phrases to be + adj + as which express subjectivity:

It is happy that you thought of making provisions.
It is tragic which he died so young person.
I am surprised that they me do not have not answered yet .

Nevertheless, the principal verbs expressing the concepts above are not always followed of a subordinate clause to the subjunctive. Some examples:
If the verb of principal is to think of the affirmative form, the subjunctive is not used, whereas it is used in theory if to think is with the negative form:

It still does not arrive, I think that it forgot the appointment.
It still does not arrive. I do not think that he forgot the appointment, he had to encounter a problem.
alternative: " I do not think only it viendra" (indicative) = I am sure that it will not come
In France, to XXIe century, to hope for which expresses the desire is not followed any more subjunctive (but the being still in other French-speaking countries can), except after the requirement with the negative form:

I hope for that you will send to me a postcard!
does not hope for that I go there at one hour similar!

The subjunctive is used after possible that , but not automatically after probable that :

It is probable that it will return . (but one always says: It is possible that it returns ).

One finds also the subjunctive in subordinate clauses introduced by principal verbs which do not have (or more) of subjective value:

We are not pressed, we will wait until it finished .
I want to prevent that it includes/understands too quickly my stratagem.

One uses it after certain conjunctive phrases often introducing the goal, the opposition, the condition or the concession, such as:
- so that, so that, so that
- although, in so far as
- without, though
- enough… so that, too. so that
- provided that
- …
- attention: after is according to the grammatical rules follow-up of the code, even if the everyday usage tends to replace it by the subjunctive, to the great displeasure purists. Ex: After my mother passed to do the housework, I do not find any more my business.
The subjunctive gets busy like principal verb in a sentence starting with that , with value of order: How each one puts at work! or of wish (set phrase or “grandiloquent” style): How the devil the carries ! How the obstacles with our project are swept!
Subjunctive not preceded by that exists in devoted expressions: Lives Roy! or in the literary style: Passes the days, the years, this memory will never be erased.

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