ethmak3r | French - Learn French in a friendly community! | Page 1

torn spadeBOT Jan 20, 2025, 1:07 PM

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slim epoch Jan 20, 2025, 1:08 PM

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In general, if the subject of the subordinate clause is the same as the subject in the subjunctive-triggering main clause, you use the infinitive

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Je suis ravi que je puisse t'aider ❌
Je suis ravi de pouvoir t'aider ✅

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If the subordinate isn't in the subjunctive (the verb in the main clause doesn't trigger it), you can opt for either a clause or an infinitive.
Je crois que je te l'ai déjà envoyée. ✅
Je crois te l'avoir déjà envoyée. ✅

crisp prairie Jan 20, 2025, 1:10 PM

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so then would you use subjunctive if you use vous,tu etc instead? je suis ravi que tu ..

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ah you answered lol thanks

slim epoch Jan 20, 2025, 1:10 PM

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As for the subjunctive itself, it depends on a whole set of specific triggers

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https://www.lawlessfrench.com/grammar/subjunctive/

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Read that

slim epoch Jan 20, 2025, 1:11 PM

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crisp prairie so then would you use subjunctive if you use vous,tu etc instead? je suis ravi q...

Well as long as the subject is different

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« Vous êtes "content" que j'y sois allé quand même ? »

blissful thorn Jan 20, 2025, 1:12 PM

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it's actually on a verb to verb basis. but you can use the WEIRD method as a general rule

W - wishes / desires
ex: je veux que tu viennes

E - emotions
ex: je suis content que tu viennes

I - impersonal expressions
ex: il faut que tu viennes

R - requests
ex: j'exige que tu viennes

D - doubts
ex: je ne pense pas qu'il vienne

crisp prairie Jan 20, 2025, 1:13 PM

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thanks! this is a difficult tense for me, coming from english lol

blissful thorn Jan 20, 2025, 1:13 PM

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note that some verbs only use the subjunctive when the sentence is negative of interrogative

ex:
je pense qu'il viendra
je ne pense pas qu'il vienne

blissful thorn Jan 20, 2025, 1:14 PM

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crisp prairie thanks! this is a difficult tense for me, coming from english lol

subjunctive triggers are one of the most organic rules in French, alongside liaisons.
It can be hard to wrap your head around, and it will mostly come with experience. Fortunately, in the meantime, it's not necessarily necessary to get understood

crisp prairie Jan 20, 2025, 1:15 PM

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liassons sont facile au moins 😂

blissful thorn Jan 20, 2025, 1:15 PM

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really? that's surprising

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fun fact: subjunctive also exists in English, but to a lesser extent
"god save the king" (not saves)
"I demand you be quiet" (not are)

crisp prairie Jan 20, 2025, 1:16 PM

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maybe they are just so common that i have seen them a lot by now (liassons)

blissful thorn Jan 20, 2025, 1:18 PM

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crisp prairie maybe they are just so common that i have seen them a lot by now (liassons)

it's just that the rules as to whether you should use a liaison or not are also very organic and depend on a lot of factors, just like subjunctive. Most learners have a lot of trouble with it
good on you if that's not the case! thumbsup

crisp prairie Jan 20, 2025, 1:22 PM

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well i normally just dont say two vowels together but i am only now discovering forbidden liassons 😦

blissful thorn Jan 20, 2025, 1:22 PM

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yeah, some are mandatory, some are optional, some are forbidden
(optional liaisons are usually said when reading or in formal speech, but not in casual speech)

crisp prairie Jan 20, 2025, 1:24 PM

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casual speech is an entirely different beast lol. I dont mind talking fancy until i pass some tests. then i can become more relaxed lol

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