Wanting and feeling trigger the subjunctive
Two common groups of triggers are wanting (to want, wish, demand) and feeling (to be glad, regret, be afraid). The subordinate clause then describes not a fact but something somebody wants or judges.
English uses an object plus an infinitive: I want you to come, she expects him to call. French has no such structure. It needs a full clause: I want you to come becomes je veux que tu viennes, literally I want that you come.
The basic pattern
Je veux que tu m'écoutes.
I want you to listen to me.
Je suis content que tu sois là.
I'm glad you're here.
J'ai peur qu'il fasse froid ce soir.
I'm afraid it will be cold tonight.
Will, wish, demand
If you want, wish or demand that someone else does something, use que + subjunctive. Je voudrais que sounds more polite than je veux que. The clause stays in the subjunctive.
Triggers of will
| Expression | Meaning |
|---|---|
| vouloir que | to want someone to |
| souhaiter que | to wish that |
| préférer que | to prefer that |
| demander que | to ask that |
| exiger que | to demand that |
| attendre que | to wait for someone to |
All with que + subjunctive
Will in everyday speech
Mes parents veulent que je fasse des études.
My parents want me to go to university.
Je voudrais que tu viennes avec moi.
I'd like you to come with me.
Nous attendons que le magasin ouvre.
We're waiting for the shop to open.
Feelings and reactions
The event is often real. What counts is your reaction to it, and that is why the subjunctive is used. Adjectives take être ... que.
Triggers of feeling
| Expression | Meaning |
|---|---|
| être content / ravi que | to be glad / delighted that |
| être triste / désolé que | to be sad / sorry that |
| être surpris / étonné que | to be surprised that |
| regretter que | to regret that |
| avoir peur que | to be afraid that |
| ça m'énerve que | it annoys me that |
All with que + subjunctive
Feelings in a sentence
Nous sommes ravis que vous puissiez venir.
We're delighted that you can come.
Je regrette que tu ne restes pas plus longtemps.
I'm sorry you're not staying longer.
Ça m'énerve que personne ne réponde au téléphone.
It annoys me that nobody answers the phone.
The trap — espérer que
espérer (to hope) looks like a wish, but it does not take the subjunctive. After espérer que comes the indicative, often in the future.
souhaiter que versus espérer que
souhaiter que + subjunctive
Je souhaite que tu réussisses.
I wish you success.
Je souhaite qu'il fasse beau demain.
I wish the weather would be nice tomorrow.
espérer que + indicative
J'espère que tu réussiras.
I hope you'll succeed.
J'espère qu'il fera beau demain.
I hope the weather will be nice tomorrow.
J'espère que tu vas bien.
I hope you're well.
Same subject — use an infinitive
The subjunctive needs two different subjects. If you want or feel something about yourself, there is no que-clause, only an infinitive — just as in English: I want to leave, not I want that I leave.
Two subjects or one?
Two subjects → que + subjunctive
Je veux que tu partes tôt.
I want you to leave early.
Elle est contente que nous venions.
She's glad we're coming.
Je regrette que tu ne puisses pas venir.
I'm sorry you can't come.
One subject → infinitive
Je veux partir tôt.
I want to leave early.
Elle est contente de venir.
She's glad to be coming.
Je regrette de ne pas pouvoir venir.
I'm sorry I can't come.
Watch the little preposition: after vouloir, préférer, souhaiter, espérer comes the bare infinitive (je veux partir). After être content, regretter, avoir peur comes de (content de partir, peur de partir).
