Subjunctive regular verbs

ByFast French

The subjunctive mood in French can seem difficult at first, but forming it for regular verbs is quite simple. Once you understand the basic method, it becomes much easier to use.

The subjunctive is formed by taking the third-person plural form (ils/elles) of the present indicative tense, removing the -ent ending, and adding the subjunctive endings.

The subjunctive endings are the same for most verbs:

  • je: -e
  • tu: -es
  • il/elle/on: -e
  • nous: -ions
  • vous: -iez
  • ils/elles: -ent

Here is how to form it step-by-step for regular -er, -ir, and -re verbs.

1. Regular -er Verbs: Example with parler (to speak)

First, take the present indicative ils form:
ils parlent
Remove the -ent: parl-

Now add the subjunctive endings:

  • que je parle
  • que tu parles
  • qu’il/elle/on parle
  • que nous parlions
  • que vous parliez
  • qu’ils/elles parlent

Example in a sentence:
Il faut que tu parles plus fort.
(It is necessary that you speak louder.)

NOTE:

Only the nous and the vous forms are spelled differently to the present tense of the Indicative mood. The je, tu, il and ils forms are all spelled the same in both the present subjunctive and the present indicative.

2. Regular -ir Verbs: Example with finir (to finish)

First, take the present indicative ils form:
ils finissent
Remove the -ent: finiss-

Now add the subjunctive endings:

  • que je finisse
  • que tu finisses
  • qu’il/elle/on finisse
  • que nous finissions
  • que vous finissiez
  • qu’ils/elles finissent

Example in a sentence:
Je veux que vous finissiez ce projet.
(I want you to finish this project.)

NOTE:

The ils/elles form is the same in the present subjunctive and the present indicative. All the other persons have verb forms that are spelled differently.

3. Regular -re Verbs: Example with vendre (to sell)

First, take the present indicative ils form:
ils vendent
Remove the -ent: vend-

Now add the subjunctive endings:

  • que je vende
  • que tu vendes
  • qu’il/elle/on vende
  • que nous vendions
  • que vous vendiez
  • qu’ils/elles vendent

Example in a sentence:
Il est important que nous vendions toutes les places.
(It is important that we sell all the tickets.)

NOTE:

The ils/elles form is the same in the present subjunctive and the present indicative. All the other persons have verb forms that are spelled differently.

4. Summary chart

PersonParler (to speak)Finir (to finish)Vendre (to sell)
jeparlefinissevende
tuparlesfinissesvendes
il/elle/onparlefinissevende
nousparlionsfinissionsvendions
vousparliezfinissiezvendiez
ils/ellesparlentfinissentvendent

5. Key Points to Remember

  • Always start with the ils form of the present indicative.
  • Remove -ent to find the stem.
  • Add the subjunctive endings: -e, -es, -e, -ions, -iez, -ent.
  • Regular verbs follow this pattern closely.
  • The “nous” and “vous” forms always have -ions and -iez, which often result in a slightly longer stem.

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