The Subjunctive in A Level French Translation
In translation into French, the subjunctive is where examiners most often place a marked segment. It is also where students lose marks in both directions: by missing a trigger, or by using the subjunctive where French does not want it.
This page sets out the triggers you are most likely to meet, the traps, and the irregular forms that make the difference visible, then gives you eight sentences to translate and check. For whole passages, see A Level French translation practice.
The triggers you will meet
| Group | Triggers | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Necessity | il faut que, il est nécessaire que | Il faut que tu partes. |
| Wanting | vouloir que, souhaiter que, préférer que | Je veux qu'il vienne. |
| Feeling | être content que, regretter que, avoir peur que | Je regrette qu'elle soit partie. |
| Doubt and denial | douter que, ne pas penser que, ne pas être sûr que, il est possible que | Je ne pense pas qu'il ait raison. |
| Conjunctions | bien que, quoique, pour que, afin que, avant que, à moins que, sans que, jusqu'à ce que | Bien qu'il pleuve, on sort. |
The traps
- Espérer que takes the indicative. "I hope she will come" is j'espère qu'elle viendra.
- Penser que and croire que take the indicative in the positive. The subjunctive appears only when they are negative or in a question: je pense qu'il a raison, but je ne pense pas qu'il ait raison.
- Il est probable que takes the indicative; il est possible que takes the subjunctive.
- Après que takes the indicative in careful written French, even though avant que takes the subjunctive.
- Same subject, use an infinitive. "I want to leave" is je veux partir, not je veux que je parte. Likewise avant de, pour, sans + infinitive when the subject does not change.
The forms that show
For regular -er verbs the subjunctive usually looks the same as the present. The marks sit on the verbs where it does not:
| Infinitive | que je / il | que nous | qu'ils |
|---|---|---|---|
| être | sois / soit | soyons | soient |
| avoir | aie / ait | ayons | aient |
| aller | aille | allions | aillent |
| faire | fasse | fassions | fassent |
| pouvoir | puisse | puissions | puissent |
| savoir | sache | sachions | sachent |
| vouloir | veuille | voulions | veuillent |
| venir | vienne | venions | viennent |
| prendre | prenne | prenions | prennent |
For a past action after a trigger, use the perfect subjunctive: bien qu'il ait promis, je suis contente que tu sois venu.
Into English
In the other direction the subjunctive usually disappears. Translate it as an ordinary present or future, or with "should" or "may" where English needs it: il faut que nous partions is "we must leave", and bien qu'il soit tard is "although it is late". Do not try to show the mood in English.
Practice: translate into French
Not every sentence needs a subjunctive. Write your answer, then check it.
-
Although she is tired, she keeps working.
Bien qu'elle soit fatiguée, elle continue à travailler.
Bien que always takes the subjunctive.
-
I want you to come with us.
Je veux que tu viennes avec nous.
Vouloir que + subjunctive, because the subject changes.
-
We must leave before it gets dark.
Il faut que nous partions avant qu'il fasse nuit.
Two triggers: il faut que and avant que. Avant qu'il ne fasse nuit is also correct; the ne is optional and not negative.
-
I don't think he knows the answer.
Je ne pense pas qu'il sache la réponse.
Penser que is negative here, so it takes the subjunctive: sache.
-
I hope she will succeed.
J'espère qu'elle réussira.
No subjunctive after espérer que: it takes the indicative.
-
They left without anyone seeing them.
Ils sont partis sans que personne les voie.
Sans que + subjunctive, because the subject changes.
-
It is possible that the government will change its mind.
Il est possible que le gouvernement change d'avis.
Il est possible que takes the subjunctive (unlike il est probable que).
-
I am glad you were able to come.
Je suis content(e) que tu aies pu venir.
Perfect subjunctive for a past action after a verb of feeling.
More practice
- A Level French translation practice: six passages and how translation is marked on each board
- More A Level French translation passages: passages 7 and 8
- AQA A Level French translation practice, with a supporting text
- Eduqas A Level French translation practice
- A Level French: the complete guide
If you would like your translations marked, that is a large part of what I do in A Level lessons. See the French tuition page or book a free 15-minute call. The A Level French Grammar Course covers the structures these passages test.