binx7836

[misty plover]

Please be patient

Our volunteers look into many questions every day; sometimes it takes them a little while to answer.

Pro tip: you can rename the thread title with `.tr <thread name>`

Make it descriptive, including relevant context, but also to the point. This way you improve your chances of getting a more relevant and specific answer.

[fleet sandal]

@rustic turtle There are three ways to talk about needing something/needing to do something:

• Avoir besoin de : to need (have need) for something.

J'ai besoin d'une voiture pour aller au travail.
I need a car /have need of a car to get to work.

• Il faut que + subjunctive/il me faut + noun: it is necessary that (focuses on the action, verb is falloir).

Il faut qu'il mange quand il a faim.
He needs to eat/he should eat when he's hungry.

Il me faut une voiture pour aller au travail.
It is necessary that I have a car to get to work.

• Devoir: to have to/to must (obligation/duty).

Il doit faire ses devoirs.
He must do his homework.

[rustic turtle]

Yeah, it's essentially something considered a must and can also be translated as a need because they have somewhat similar meanings I realize. In the case of il faut I know a noun, but what is a subjunctive?

[fleet sandal]

The subjunctive is a verb mood that follows certain expressions or when talking about a doubt/personal desire. Taking the verb 'devoir' as an example:

Some examples:

• Je veux/souhaite que (wish/desire)

Je veux qu'il soit là. I want him to be there.
Il faut que
Il faut que je m'endorme. I should fall asleep.

• Je ne pense/trouve pas que (doubt)

Je ne pense pas que la voiture soit noire ; elle est bleu foncé. I do not think that the car is black; it is dark blue.