Chapter 37: The Irregulars

The Subjunctive gets tricky with the most common verbs. Let's master the "Big Four".

Section 1: Être (To Be) & Avoir (To Have) Subjunctive Conjugations

In Chapter 36, you met the subjunctive forms of **être** for *je*, *tu*, and *il/elle* (*sois*, *soit*). Now, let's view the complete set for both **être** [eh-truh] (to be) and **avoir** [ah-vwahr] (to have).

Let's review the spelling and pronunciations carefully:

Être (Subjunctive Mood)
  • que je sois [kuh zhuh swah]
  • que tu sois [kuh too swah]
  • qu'il/elle soit [keel swah]
  • que nous soyons [kuh noo swah-yohn]
  • que vous soyez [kuh voo swah-yay]
  • qu'ils/elles soient [keel swah]
Avoir (Subjunctive Mood)
  • que j'aie [kuh zhay]
  • que tu aies [kuh too ay]
  • qu'il/elle ait [keel ay]
  • que nous ayons [kuh noo zay-yohn]
  • que vous ayez [kuh voo zay-yay]
  • qu'ils/elles aient [keel zay]

Let's introduce our new emotional trigger word anchor:

  • avoir peur que [ah-vwahr pur kuh] : to be afraid that...
    Mnemonic Anchor: *Peur* sounds exactly like the English word **"purr"**. Imagine a tiny cat that **purrs (*peur*)** whenever it is **afraid** of something!
    Subjunctive Mnemonic (*aie*): The subjunctive stem for *avoir* is *aie*. It sounds just like the exclamation **"Aie!"** (Ouch!). Think: **"Aie! I have (avoir) a headache!"**

Let's hear how these sound in action behind this emotional trigger:

  • J'ai peur que tu sois malade.
    [zhay pur kuh too swah mah-lahd] (I am afraid that you are sick.)
  • J'ai peur qu'elle ait la fièvre.
    [zhay pur kel ay lah fee-eh-vruh] (I am afraid that she has a fever.)
Mental Recall Checkpoint

Look away from the screen. What does "avoir peur que" mean? Recite its "purr" mnemonic. How do you spell and say the subjunctive form of *avoir* for *je* (I)?

Micro-Quiz 1: Être & Avoir

1. Translate: "J'ai peur que..."

2. Fill in the blank: "J'ai peur que tu ____ (avoir) la fièvre."

3. Reconstruct: "I am afraid you are sick." (You = tu)

Reveal Answers & Explanations

Question 1: Correct Answer: B. *J'ai peur que* means "I am afraid that". Remember the cat that *purrs* when afraid!

Question 2: Correct Answer: B. Because *J'ai peur que* is an emotional trigger, we must use the subjunctive form of *avoir*, which for *tu* is *aies*.

Question 3: Correct Answer: A. The subjunctive form of *être* for *tu* is *sois*. Thus: *J'ai peur que tu sois malade*.

Section 2: Faire (To Do) & Aller (To Go) Subjunctive Conjugations

Let's meet the next two irregular subjunctive giants: **faire** [fehr] (to do/make) and **aller** [ah-lay] (to go).

These verbs completely change their spelling stems when pulled into the subjunctive mood:

Faire (Subjunctive stem: fasse-)
  • que je fasse [kuh zhuh fahss]
  • que tu fasses [kuh too fahss]
  • qu'il/elle fasse [keel fahss]
  • que nous fassions [kuh noo fahss-yohn]
  • que vous fassiez [kuh voo fahss-yay]
  • qu'ils/elles fassent [keel fahss]
Aller (Subjunctive stem: aille-)
  • que j'aille [kuh zhahy]
  • que tu ailles [kuh too ahy]
  • qu'il/elle aille [keel ahy]
  • que nous allions [kuh noo zah-lyohn]
  • que vous alliez [kuh voo zah-lyay]
  • qu'ils/elles aillent [keel zahy]

Let's introduce our desire and will trigger anchor:

  • vouloir que [voo-lwahr kuh] : to want that... / to wish that...
    Mnemonic Anchor (vouloir): Think of a **"volunteer"** (someone who **wants** to step up and help out of their own free will).
    Faire Mnemonic (*fasse*): *Fasse* sounds just like the English word **"face"**. Think: **"I must make (*faire*) a funny face (*fasse*)!"**
    Aller Mnemonic (*aille*): *Aille* sounds just like the English word **"aisle"** (as in a grocery store aisle). Think: **"I must go (*aller*) down the cereal aisle (*aille*)!"**

Let's hear how these irregular stems sound in action behind our desire trigger:

  • Je veux que tu fasses des tests.
    [juh vuh kuh too fahss day test] (I want you to do tests.)
  • Je veux qu'il aille à l'hôpital.
    [juh vuh keel ahy ah loh-pee-tahl] (I want him to go to the hospital.)
Mental Recall Checkpoint

Look away from the screen. What is the subjunctive stem for *faire*? Recite the "funny face" mnemonic. What is the subjunctive stem for *aller*? Recite the "grocery aisle" mnemonic.

Micro-Quiz 2: Faire & Aller

1. Translate: "Je veux que..."

2. Fill in the blank: "Je veux que tu ____ (faire) des progrès." (des progrès = progress)

3. Reconstruct: "I want him to go." (literally "I want that he go")

Reveal Answers & Explanations

Question 1: Correct Answer: B. *Je veux que* means "I want that". Think of a *volunteer* who wants to help.

Question 2: Correct Answer: A. *Je veux que* is a desire trigger, requiring the subjunctive form of *faire*, which is *fasses* for *tu*. (Think: funny *face* / *fasse*).

Question 3: Correct Answer: A. The subjunctive form of *aller* for *il* is *aille* (think: grocery *aisle*). Thus: *Je veux qu'il aille*.

Section 3: Heart (Emotion/Will) vs Brain (Fact/Belief) Triggers

Why do phrases like *J'ai peur que* (I'm afraid that) and *Je veux que* (I want that) force the subjunctive, while *Je sais que* (I know that) and *Je pense que* (I think that) do not?

The Heart vs Brain Dual Coding Analogy

Think of your emotions and demands as coming straight from your **Heart (Subjunctive Switch ON)**. If your trigger expresses how you feel, what you want, or what must happen (necessity, fear, desire), it flips the subjunctive switch.

But thoughts, facts, and beliefs come from your **Brain (Indicative Switch ON)**. If your trigger expresses certainty, knowledge, or simple thought (knowing, believing, thinking), the switch stays in the normal indicative position.

Let's contrast the differences in meaning and verb choice:

  • Brain Trigger (Indicative / Fact):
    Je pense qu'il **va** à l'hôpital.
    [juh pahns keel vah ah loh-pee-tahl] (I think he is going to the hospital → normal indicative form *va*).
  • Heart Trigger (Subjunctive / Emotion/Desire):
    Je veux qu'il **aille** à l'hôpital.
    [juh vuh keel ahy ah loh-pee-tahl] (I want him to go to the hospital → subjunctive form *aille*).
Mental Recall Checkpoint

Look away from the screen. Does "Je pense que" use the subjunctive or indicative? Why? What about "J'ai peur que"? Explain using the Heart vs Brain analogy.

Micro-Quiz 3: Heart vs Brain

1. Which starting trigger is a "Heart Trigger" that activates the Subjunctive mood?

2. Fill in the blank: "Je sais qu'il ____ (être) ici." (I know he is here - certainty/brain)

3. Fill in the blank: "J'ai peur qu'il ____ (être) en retard." (I am afraid he is late - emotion/heart)

Reveal Answers & Explanations

Question 1: Correct Answer: B. Desire (*Je veux que*) comes from the heart, requiring the subjunctive. Facts/knowledge (*Je sais que*) come from the brain and use indicative.

Question 2: Correct Answer: A. Since *Je sais que* states a certain fact, it is an indicative trigger. The normal indicative form of *être* is *est*.

Question 3: Correct Answer: A. Because *J'ai peur que* is an emotional trigger of fear, we must use the subjunctive form of *être*, which is *soit* for *il*.

Section 4: Stem Shifting in Aller & Possible Triggers

If you examine the subjunctive conjugation of **aller** (to go) in Section 2, you will notice an interesting spelling shift:
Singulars (*je/tu/il*) and *ils/elles* use the stem **aille-** (*j'aille, ils aillent*).
But *nous* and *vous* use the stem **all-** (*nous allions, vous alliez*).

The Track-Switching Train Analogy

Think of conjugation like a train. The singular passengers (*je, tu, il*) and the heavy tail caboose (*ils*) switch onto the **irregular track (aille-)**.
But the center passenger cars **nous** and **vous** stay on the **regular present tense track (all-)**! They are more stable and don't slide into the irregular spelling.

Let's introduce our final vocabulary trigger:

  • il est possible que [eel ay poh-see-bluh kuh] : it is possible that...
    Mnemonic Anchor: *Possible* is spelled exactly the same in English and French! Because possibility means it's not a 100% certain fact, it always triggers the **Subjunctive switch**.

Let's hear how this stem shift sounds behind this possibility trigger:

  • Il est possible que nous allions à l'hôpital.
    [eel ay poh-see-bluh kuh noo zah-lyohn ah loh-pee-tahl] (It is possible that we go to the hospital → uses regular *all-* stem + *-ions* ending).
  • Il est possible qu'ils aillent à l'hôpital.
    [eel ay poh-see-bluh keel zahy ah loh-pee-tahl] (It is possible that they go to the hospital → uses irregular *aille-* stem + *-ent* ending).
Mental Recall Checkpoint

Look away from the screen. Which pronouns for *aller* in the subjunctive keep the regular *all-* stem? Which ones switch to the irregular *aille-* stem?

Micro-Quiz 4: Stem Shifts

1. Which subjunctive form of *aller* is correct for *nous*?

2. How do you spell the subjunctive form of *aller* for *ils* (they)?

3. Reconstruct: "It is possible that we go." (we = nous)

Reveal Answers & Explanations

Question 1: Correct Answer: B. The pronoun *nous* stays on the normal track, so it uses the stem *all-* resulting in *allions*. Adding an "i" to *all-* gives the subjunctive spelling.

Question 2: Correct Answer: A. The pronoun *ils* switches to the irregular track stem *aille-*, plus the silent ending *-ent*, giving *aillent*.

Question 3: Correct Answer: A. "Il est possible que nous allions" is the literal translation of "It is possible that we go". Option B adds unnecessary words.

Subjunctive Mood & Emotion Mixer

Mix and match different triggers, pronouns, and verbs to see the subjunctive shift instantly.

...

Make selections to build a sentence.

Dialogue: L'Hypocondriaque

Pierre is extremely worried about his health, using irregular subjunctive verbs.

P
Pierre

J'ai peur que ce soit grave. Il faut que j'aille à l'hôpital.

(I'm afraid that it is serious. It is necessary that I go to the hospital.)

Mais non, ça va. Je ne pense pas que tu aies la fièvre.

(But no, it's fine. I don't think you have a fever.)
A
Ami
P
Pierre

Je veux que le médecin fasse des tests tout de suite !

(I want the doctor to do tests right away!)

Le Coin Culturel: Râler (To Complain)

Complaining is a national sport in France. It is not necessarily viewed as a negative trait; rather, it is a way to display critical thinking, start a deep conversation, and vent minor frustrations.

A great subjunctive starter phrase to know is: Ça m'énerve que... [sah may-nehr-vuh kuh] (It annoys me that...). Because expressing annoyance is a pure emotional trigger (Heart), it forces the subjunctive!

Irregular Subjunctive Deck

Download the Chapter 37 deck.

Import Chapter 37 Flashcards

Chapter 37 Capstone Exam

Test your mastery of the Irregular Subjunctive. Grade is informational only.

Tier 1: Choose the Translation (Recognition)

1. What is the emotional trigger meaning "to be afraid that"?

2. What is the subjunctive form of *faire* for the pronoun *je*?

3. Which of the following is the correct subjunctive form of *avoir* for *nous*?

4. What is the subjunctive form of *aller* for *ils* (they)?

5. Which of the following triggers stays in the normal Indicative mood (does NOT use the subjunctive)?

Tier 2: Fill in the Blank (Assisted Production)

1. I want him to do tests. (Clue: subjunctive *il* of *faire*)

Je veux qu'il des tests.

2. I must go to the hospital. (Clue: subjunctive *je* of *aller*)

Il faut que j' à l'hôpital.

3. I am afraid you have a fever. (Clue: subjunctive *tu* of *avoir*)

J'ai peur que tu la fièvre.

4. It is possible that we be ready. (Clue: subjunctive *nous* of *être*)

Il est possible que nous prêts.

5. It is necessary that you go. (Clue: subjunctive *vous* of *aller*)

Il faut que vous .

Tier 3: English-to-French Subjunctive Translation (Unassisted Generation)

1. Translate: "I want you to be ready." (Clue: literally "I want that you be ready" → *Je veux que tu sois prêt*)

2. Translate: "I am afraid that it is serious." (Clue: "I am afraid that" is *J'ai peur que*, "it is" is subjunctive *ce soit*, "serious" is *grave*)

3. Translate: "I must do tests." (Clue: literally "It is necessary that I do tests" → *Il faut que je fasse des tests*)

4. Translate: "It is possible that he has a fever." (Clue: "It is possible that" is *Il est possible que*, "he has" is subjunctive *il ait*, "a fever" is *la fièvre*)

5. Translate: "I want you to go." (Clue: literally "I want that you go" → *Je veux que tu ailles*)

View Capstone Answer Guide & Explanations
Tier 1 Answers:

1. B is correct. *avoir peur que* is the trigger meaning "to be afraid that" (cat *purr* mnemonic).
2. B is correct. Subjunctive for *faire* is *fasse* (funny *face* mnemonic).
3. A is correct. Subjunctive form of *avoir* for *nous* is *ayons*.
4. B is correct. Subjunctive form of *aller* for *ils* is *aillent* (grocery *aisle* mnemonic).
5. C is correct. *Je sais que* states certainty (Brain) and uses the indicative mood.

Tier 2 Answers:

1. fasse — do/make (subjunctive of *faire* for *il*).
2. aille — go (subjunctive of *aller* for *je*).
3. aies — have (subjunctive of *avoir* for *tu*).
4. soyons — be (subjunctive of *être* for *nous*).
5. alliez — go (subjunctive of *aller* for *vous*).

Tier 3 Answers:

1. Je veux que tu sois prêt. (or *Je veux que tu sois prête* / *Je veux que vous soyez prêts*)
2. J'ai peur que ce soit grave. (I am afraid that it is serious)
3. Il faut que je fasse des tests. (It is necessary that I do tests)
4. Il est possible qu'il ait la fièvre. (or *Il est possible qu'elle ait la fièvre*)
5. Je veux que tu ailles. (or *Je veux que vous alliez*)

Chapter 36 Course Index Chapter 38