Subjunctive or indicative?
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27 entries linked to the lesson “The present subjunctive” · Show all
Will, demand, necessity
You want something to happen: the fact is not real yet, and the subjunctive says so.
- vouloir queSubjunctive
- souhaiter queSubjunctive
- désirer queSubjunctive
- exiger queSubjunctive
- demander queSubjunctive
- s'attendre à ce queSubjunctive
- préférer queSubjunctive
- il faut queSubjunctive
- il est nécessaire queSubjunctive
- il est important queSubjunctive
- il est essentiel queSubjunctive
- il est indispensable queSubjunctive
- il vaut mieux queSubjunctive
Feelings and emotion
You react to a fact instead of asserting it: what matters is the reaction, and it calls for the subjunctive.
Doubt, possibility, unlikelihood
The fact is called into question: as long as it is not taken as true, the subjunctive applies.
Opinion, statement, certainty
The fact is presented as true: the indicative. This is where the negative forms switch mood.