The French phrase “attendre que” is commonly used to mean “to wait until” or “to wait for (something to happen)”. It is used when someone is expecting or waiting for a certain action or event, often requiring the subjunctive mood for the verb that follows “que.”

How “Attendre que” Differs from “Attendre” + Noun

It’s important to distinguish between “attendre que” and simply “attendre” followed by a noun. “Attendre que” is used when you’re waiting for an action or event that has not yet happened, while “attendre” alone is used when waiting for a person, thing, or specific noun.

Here are some examples to clarify the difference:

• J’attends mon ami. – I am waiting for my friend.
• Il attend l’arrivée du train. – He is waiting for the train’s arrival.

In these sentences, “attendre” is followed directly by a noun (mon ami, l’arrivée), with no need for the subjunctive. Here, “attendre” simply expresses waiting for something certain, like a person or object.

In contrast, “attendre que” is used when the speaker is waiting for an action or event that hasn’t yet happened, creating a sense of anticipation or uncertainty. Because of this uncertainty, the following verb is usually in the subjunctive mood:

• J’attends qu’il arrive. – I am waiting for him to arrive.
  (Here, “arrive” is the action we are waiting for, so we use “attendre que” + subjunctive form “arrive.”)
• Nous attendons que le train parte. – We are waiting for the train to leave.
  (Since we’re waiting for the train’s departure, “partir” is in the subjunctive “parte.”)

Using “Attendre que” with the Subjunctive

In French, the subjunctive mood is used to express doubt, emotion, desire, or uncertainty. Since “attendre que” implies waiting for an anticipated or uncertain event, the verb in the following clause is generally in the subjunctive.

Example of “Attendre que” with Subjunctive (to finish)

• J’attends que tu finisses ton travail.
  (I’m waiting for you to finish your work.)

In this sentence:

• “attends” is the conjugated form of “attendre” (to wait).
• “que” connects to the next clause.
• “finisses” is the subjunctive form of “finir” (to finish), used because the speaker is waiting for something that hasn’t happened yet.

Another Example (to come)

• Nous attendons qu’il vienne.
  (We are waiting for him to come.)

Here:

• “attendons” is the conjugated form of “attendre” for “nous.”
• “vienne” is the subjunctive form of “venir” (to come), since his arrival is anticipated but not certain.

More Examples with “Attendre que” + Subjunctive

1. Elle attend que tu sois prêt.
   (She is waiting for you to be ready.)
2. Ils attendent que nous finissions.
   (They are waiting for us to finish.)
3. J’attends que vous me répondiez.
   (I am waiting for you to answer me.)

In each of these examples, the verb after “que” is in the subjunctive because it expresses an anticipated or uncertain event that the speaker is waiting for.

Summary

• “Attendre + noun” is used to wait for something certain, like a person or thing.
  • Example: J’attends mon ami. – I am waiting for my friend.
• “Attendre que + subjunctive” is used to wait for an action or event that has yet to happen, introducing a sense of uncertainty.
  • Example: J’attends qu’il arrive. – I am waiting for him to arrive.