The subjunctive after impersonal verbs and expressions
— The subjunctive is nearly always used after the following impersonal verbs and expressions : x
1 It should be noted that the infinitive preceded by de, or alone, may be used as logical subject after these expressions :
II est temps de le faire. It is time to do it.
Il vaut mieux lui en parler. It is better to speak to him about it.
il est bien, it is well
il est bon, it is good
il est essentiel, it is essential
il est utile, it is useful
il est facile, it is easy
il est important, it is important
il est possible, it is possible
Il importe que vous fassiez ceci.
Il vaut mieux que Jean vienne.
Il est possible qu'il aille.
il est juste, it is just
il est nécessaire, it is necessary
il est temps, it is time
il faut, it is necessary, must l
il suffit, it suffices
il vaut mieux, it is better
il importe, it is important
It is important that you do this.
It is better that John come.
It is possible that he may go.
Note. Observe that the English may often take another form than the one given above. For example, It is important for you to do this, It is better for John to come, It is possible for him to go, etc.
93. The subjunctive after conjunctions. — The subjunctive is required after the following common conjunctions :
à moins que, unless
afin que, in order that
avant que, before
bien que, although
de crainte que, for fear that 2
Quoiqu'il soit né riche.
Je crie afin qu'il m'entende.
jusqu'à ce que, until 3 pour que, in order that quoique, although sans que, without
soit que . . . soit que, whether . . . or
Although he was born rich.
I am yelling in order that he may hear me.
1 After il faut an infinitive is preferable when no emphasis or stress is laid on the person concerned.
Il faut partir. / (you, we, they, she, he) must be leaving.
But if a noun or stressed pronoun is used, the subjunctive is required. Il faut que mon frère parte. My brother must leave.
(Do not use the indirect object form, Il lui faut partir, Il me faut venir, as this form is generally limited to literary compositions. Rather replace this form by the subjunctive form, Il faut qu'il parte, Il faut que je vienne, which would be used in everyday French.)
2 The redundant ne is generally required after expressions oîfear when negation is neither expressed nor implied.
3 Introducing an accomplished fact, this takes the indicative.
94. The subjunctive after relative pronouns. — The subjunctive is required in clauses introduced by a relative pronoun whose antecedent is qualified by a superlative or by the limiting adjectives seul, premier, dernier, or any other word or expression which has superlative force.
L'homme le plus riche que je con- The richest man that I know.
naisse.
Henri est le seul ami qui m'ait aidé. Henry is the only friend who has
helped me.
95. Irregular verbs. — Study the irregular verbs rire, to laugh; sourire, to smile; falloir, to be necessary, must; paraître, to appear; disparaître, to disappear,
EXERCISE
(a) 1. It is well that you are here now, because your father is looking for you. 2. It is necessary that the tailor make him a suit of clothes. 3. He is the stingiest man that I know; 4. Although she is rich now, she was formerly very poor. 5. I have been suffering from the toothache to-day. 6. How many did you leave on the table? 7. You must sell it to her if she wants it. 8. Those that I gave you belonged to her sister.
