Unit 27: The subjunctive - other uses

1 Use in relative clauses

The subjunctive is sometimes used in a relative clause when the sense of the sentence is to put something into a certain class. There are three contexts which generally require the subjunctive:

 

1.1 After superlatives

After a superlative and words acting like superlatives such as seul, premier, dernier, unique:

C'est l'homme le plus intelligent que je connaisse  

He's the cleverest man I know

C'est la fleur la plus belle que j'aie jamais vue  

It's the prettiest flower I have ever seen

C'est la première personne que j'aie rencontrée ici  

He / she's the first person I met here

  See three more examples

1.2 Hypothetical person / thing

Where a person or thing is being sought but is hypothetical rather than real. For example:

Je cherche quelqu'un qui fasse ce genre de travail  

I'm looking for someone who does this type of work

Y a-t-il quelqu'un ici qui sache parler japonais?  

Is there someone here who speaks Japanese?

Trouvez-moi quelqu'un qui soit capable de le faire!  

Find me someone who is capable of doing it!

  See three more examples

1.3 After negative structures

After the negative structures such as ne ... pas, ne ... rien, ne ... personne etc.:

Je n'ai pas trouvé de traitement qui puisse me guérir  

I haven't found a treatment that can cure me

Je n'ai rien trouvé qui me plaise  

I've found nothing I like

Il n'y a personne ici qui sache la bonne réponse  

There's no-one here who knows the right answer

  See three more examples

2 Clauses beginning whoever, whatever etc.

The subjunctive is also used in a subordinate clause beginning with whoever, whatever, whatever, wherever and however. For example:

 

 

  See three more examples

3 Use in set expressions

As in English, the subjunctive in French is also used in certain set expressions expressing a wish, command or hypothesis:

Qu'il vienne me le dire!  

Let him come and tell me that!

Vaille que vaille  

Somehow or other

Dieu vous bénisse!  

God bless you!

Vive la France!  

Long live France!

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