Le temps que + the subjunctive mood (Le Subjonctif) = By the time that in French

Written by Qualified French Expert Aurélie Drouard HKH, Licence d'anglais LLCE
Last updated: 2025-09-17
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In French, to express "by the time that...", you use "le temps que" + Mode subjonctif.

How to use "le temps que" with Mode subjonctif in French

Look at these sentences:

Le temps que nous arrivions, mon avion était déjà parti !By the time we arrived, my plane was already gone!

Le temps que je finisse de manger, il avait déjà bu une bouteille entière.By the time I finished eating, he had already drunk a whole bottle.

J'aurai fini de vérifier mes emails le temps qu'elle prenne sa douche.I'll have finished checking my emails in the time she takes a shower.

To express an action that takes place by the time / in the time another action happens/happened, you will use :

le temps que + verb in Le Subjonctif


ATTENTION:

Don't get mixed up with sentences like "le temps qu'il fait" (lit. the weather [that] it does) or "le temps que ça prend" meaning the time (that it takes).
Here the verb is in L'Indicatif, NOT Le Subjonctif, and it does not mean "by the time...": 

Je me demande le temps qu'il fait.I wonder what the weather is like.

Je ne comprends pas le temps que ça lui prend de se préparer !I don't understand the time she takes to get ready!

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Examples and resources

Le temps que nous arrivions, mon avion était déjà parti !By the time we arrived, my plane was already gone!
Le temps que je finisse de manger, il avait déjà bu une bouteille entière.By the time I finished eating, he had already drunk a whole bottle.
Je me demande le temps qu'il fait.I wonder what the weather is like.
Je ne comprends pas le temps que ça lui prend de se préparer !I don't understand the time she takes to get ready!
J'aurai fini de vérifier mes emails le temps qu'elle prenne sa douche.I'll have finished checking my emails in the time she takes a shower.
Surveille mon van le temps que je fasse la livraison.Watch my van while [in the time] I do the delivery.
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