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Understanding the French Past Subjunctive
The past subjunctive in French is a special verb tense used to express actions or events that have happened in the past, but are influenced by feelings, doubts, wishes, or uncertainty. It is often used in subordinate clauses that follow expressions of emotion, doubt, necessity, or possibility.
Important Points
Formed by using the auxiliary verbs 'avoir' or 'être' in the present subjunctive.
The past participle of the main verb is used after the auxiliary verb.
Auxiliary verb choice depends on the main verb (just like in the passé composé).
Verbs that use 'être' as the auxiliary verb must agree in gender and number with the subject.
Common triggers include expressions like 'Il faut que', 'Je doute que', 'Je suis content que'.
Examples
Je suis content que tu sois venu à ma fête.
Il est possible qu'elle ait fini ses devoirs.
Nous doutions qu'ils soient partis si tôt.
To form the past subjunctive, start with the present subjunctive of the auxiliary verb 'avoir' or 'être'. Then, add the past participle of the main verb. Remember, verbs that typically use 'être' in the passé composé will also use 'être' in the past subjunctive.
Examples
Que j'aie parlé (that I spoke)
Que tu sois allé(e) (that you went)
Qu'il ait pris (that he took)
When using the past subjunctive, it's important to pay attention to the agreement of the past participle, especially with verbs that use 'être'. These past participles must agree in gender and number with the subject of the sentence.
Examples
Je suis heureux qu'elle soit arrivée à l'heure.
Nous sommes surpris qu'ils aient réussi l'examen.
Elle doute qu'il soit parti sans elle.
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