Conjunctions that decide the mood for you
With conjunctions there is nothing to weigh up: one fixed list requires the subjunctive, another fixed list the indicative. English uses the plain indicative after so that, although, before and until, so you have no instinct to fall back on. Learn the French pairs deliberately.
As a rule of thumb: the subjunctive usually appears where the clause does not simply report a fact but gives a purpose (pour que), a condition (à condition que), a concession (bien que) or something that is yet to come (avant que, jusqu'à ce que).
Conjunctions that take the subjunctive
Subjunctive triggers
| Conjunction | Meaning |
|---|---|
| pour que | so that (more formal: afin que) |
| bien que | although (more formal: quoique) |
| avant que | before |
| jusqu'à ce que | until |
| à condition que | provided that |
| à moins que | unless |
| sans que | without |
conjunction → meaning
The conjunctions in sentences
Je t'écris pour que tu sois au courant.
I'm writing to you so that you know.
Bien qu'il pleuve, nous sortons.
Although it's raining, we're going out.
Finis ton café avant qu'il soit froid.
Finish your coffee before it gets cold.
Reste ici jusqu'à ce que je revienne.
Stay here until I come back.
Je te prête ma voiture à condition que tu fasses attention.
I'll lend you my car provided that you're careful.
Il est parti sans que je le voie.
He left without me seeing him.
Conjunctions that take the indicative
These conjunctions introduce a fact and take the indicative.
These conjunctions take the indicative
| Conjunction | Meaning |
|---|---|
| après que | after |
| parce que | because |
| pendant que | while |
| depuis que | since |
| dès que | as soon as |
| même si | even if (no subjunctive after si) |
conjunction → meaning
The indicative after these conjunctions
Je reste à la maison parce que je suis fatigué.
I'm staying at home because I'm tired.
Dès que le train arrivera, je t'appellerai.
As soon as the train arrives, I'll call you.
Même s'il pleut, je sors.
Even if it rains, I'm going out.
Same subject? Use the infinitive
If the main and the subordinate clause have the same subject, an infinitive replaces the que clause. English does this too (before leaving, without saying), but French needs the right preposition: avant de partir.
Conjunction and infinitive form
| Two subjects | One subject |
|---|---|
| avant que + subjunctive | avant de + infinitive |
| sans que + subjunctive | sans + infinitive |
| à condition que + subjunctive | à condition de + infinitive |
two subjects → one subject
One subject, one infinitive
Je vérifie tout avant de partir.
I check everything before leaving.
Elle est sortie sans dire un mot.
She left without saying a word.
bien que and jusqu'à ce que have no infinitive form. The que clause stays even with the same subject: Bien que je sois fatigué, je continue.
