Subjunctive after wishes and emotions
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Use the French subjunctive after wishes and emotions, and distinguish je souhaite que from affirmative j'espère que.
Subjunctive after wishes and emotions
Expressions such as vouloir que and être content que take the subjunctive when introducing another clause. With the same subject, a suitable infinitive construction is often simpler.
Examples in context
Read the examples and compare their English meanings.
Use it in a conversation
Vouloir que, souhaiter que, and être content que call for the subjunctive. With the same subject, an infinitive is often natural: je veux partir. Affirmative espérer que normally takes the indicative, often the future; negative or interrogative uses can behave differently. An emotion can concern a fact, so subjunctive does not mean untrue.
Je veux rester. Je veux que tu restes aussi.
I want to stay. I want you to stay too.
Je souhaite qu'il fasse beau demain.
I hope the weather is nice tomorrow.
J'espère qu'il fera beau demain.
I hope the weather will be nice tomorrow.
Common mix-ups
Vouloir que calls for the subjunctive viennes here.
I want you to come.
Try a reply
Say or write your answer in French before opening the example.
I am happy that you are here. Use the feminine form of happy and address one friend.
Show one possible answer
Je suis contente que tu sois là.
Other wording can work too. Compare the verb form, agreement, and word order with the lesson. Then try a sentence about your own day.
Keep practicing
Related grammar
Grammar references
Practice French grammar in context
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