French moods & systems
Conditionnel vs. Subjonctif présent: how to choose
Conditionnel places an event in a hypothetical, softened, or future-in-the-past frame. Subjonctif is selected by particular constructions of will, necessity, emotion, evaluation, doubt, or concession. Subject identity is not the deciding test: the same person can appear in both clauses, and subjonctif can occur in a few independent fixed uses.
The decision: Is the verb itself framed as hypothetical, polite, or future viewed from the past? → conditionnel. Is the clause governed by an expression that requires or favors subjonctif? → subjonctif. In Je voudrais qu'il vienne, voudrais provides the softening and vienne is licensed by vouloir que.
The choices at a glance
| Choose | When to use it | Pattern and example |
|---|---|---|
| Conditionnel | The action is hypothetical, dependent on a stated or implied condition — it can stand alone as a sentence. | Je viendrais si j'avais le temps. |
| Subjonctif présent | The clause is selected by a construction of will, necessity, emotion, evaluation, doubt, or concession — usually after que. | Je veux que tu viennes. |
Practise this decision in FKE
The interactive comparison includes decision practice and links to the related FKE knowledge tools.
Open Conditionnel vs. Subjonctif présent in FKE