An Introduction to the Present Subjunctive for GCSE Higher Tier
The present subjunctive is a verb mood used in a subordinate clause introduced by que, after certain trigger expressions of necessity, wish, emotion or doubt, when the subject of that clause is different from the subject before it. At GCSE the key triggers are il faut que (it is necessary that), vouloir que (to want someone to), and bien que/quoique (although).
Before you start
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Method
- Recognise the subjunctive by its trigger: it appears in a clause introduced by que after certain expressions of necessity, wish, emotion or doubt, when the subject of that clause is different from the subject before it.
- Learn the key GCSE trigger phrases: il faut que (it is necessary that), vouloir que (to want someone to), bien que / quoique (although), and avant que (before).
- Form the regular subjunctive by taking the ils/elles form of the present tense, removing -ent, and adding -e, -es, -e, -ent for je/tu/il/elle/ils/elles: parler gives que je parle, que tu parles, qu'il parle, qu'ils parlent.
- For the nous and vous forms of a regular subjunctive, add -ions and -iez to the same stem: que nous parlions, que vous parliez.
- Learn the fully irregular subjunctive stems as whole forms rather than trying to build them from a rule: être gives que je sois / que nous soyons; avoir gives que j'aie / que nous ayons; faire gives que je fasse; aller gives que j'aille / que nous allions; pouvoir gives que je puisse; vouloir gives que je veuille.
- Use il faut que plus the subjunctive to give a strong, impersonal instruction or piece of advice, as an alternative to il faut plus an infinitive: 'il faut que tu travailles davantage'.
- Only switch to the subjunctive when the subject changes between the two clauses; if the subject stays the same, use an infinitive instead: 'il faut que je parte' (different subjects, il and je) but 'je dois partir' (same subject, no subjunctive needed).
- For Higher tier writing, include one deliberate subjunctive phrase, such as bien que plus the subjunctive, to show a wider range of structures and access the top mark band for language.
Worked example
Complete this sentence with the correct present subjunctive form: 'Il faut que tu (faire) ___ tes devoirs avant de sortir.'
- Identify the trigger: il faut que is a fixed expression that always introduces the subjunctive.
- Check that the subject changes between the two ideas: the obligation is impersonal (il faut) but the person who must act is tu, so the subjunctive is needed.
- Recall that faire has an irregular subjunctive stem, fass-, which must be learned as a whole form rather than built from ils font.
- Add the tu ending -es to the irregular stem: fasses.
- Write the completed sentence: 'Il faut que tu fasses tes devoirs avant de sortir.'
Practice questions
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Q1Give the present subjunctive of parler for nous.Show answer
Answer: que nous parlions.
Q2Give the present subjunctive of être for tu.Show answer
Answer: que tu sois.
Q3Give the present subjunctive of avoir for il.Show answer
Answer: qu'il ait.
Q4Complete: 'Il faut que je ___ (aller) chez le docteur.'Show answer
Answer: aille.
Q5Explain why the subjunctive is NOT needed here: 'Je veux partir tôt.'Show answer
Answer: Because the subject stays the same in both parts (je veux, je pars), an infinitive is used instead of que plus subjunctive.
Q6Complete using bien que plus subjunctive: 'Bien qu'il ___ (être) fatigué, il continue à travailler.'Show answer
Answer: soit.
Q7Translate into French using il faut que: 'It is necessary that we leave now.'Show answer
Answer: Il faut que nous partions maintenant.
Q8Give the present subjunctive of pouvoir for elle.Show answer
Answer: qu'elle puisse.
Exam-style questions
Written in the style of a GCSE French exam paper, with a full mark scheme.
Translate this passage into English: 'Mes parents veulent que je fasse plus d'efforts au collège. Bien que je sois déjà assez occupé, il faut que je révise davantage avant les examens.'
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Translate into French, using the subjunctive where the trigger phrases require it: 1. It is necessary that you (tu) tell the truth. 2. Although she is young, she understands everything. 3. My teacher wants us to work harder.
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Underline the subjunctive trigger, then give the correct verb form: 1. Il faut que nous (être) ___ à l'heure. 2. Bien qu'il (faire) ___ froid, nous sortons. 3. Mes parents veulent que je (avoir) ___ de bonnes notes. 4. Il faut que tu (pouvoir) ___ te débrouiller seul.
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See real GCSE French past-paper questions, with official mark schemes →
Free printable worksheet
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