Subjunctive mode
The subjunctive mode indicates a contemplated or hypothetical action, a doubt or a wish. This is the mode of the unreal. It is used with verbs expressing desire, wish, doubt, emotions and uncertainty.
Il faut qu'il lise ce livre.
In its construction, we add "that" or "that" before the verb to indicate the subjunctive.
Subjunctive tenses
Four tenses exist in the subjunctive but only two are used orally. The subjunctive imperfect and the pluperfect are only used in narrative.
| Simple tenses | Composed tenbses |
|---|---|
|
Present The present subjunctive is used after any time to express a wish or uncertain facts about an unfulfilled action. |
Past The past of the subjunctive expresses a wish or an uncertainty about an accomplished action. |
|
Imperfect Only used in writing in the third person. |
Pluperfect Only used in writing in the third person to express past action. |