L’Indicatif(Le Futur Simple) vs Le Subjonctif Présent

Shrey R.A1 Kwiziq Q&A super contributor

L’Indicatif(Le Futur Simple) vs Le Subjonctif Présent

Bonjour Madame Cécile !

Here are two sentences involving the verb “pleuvoir”->

1. Il est possible qu’il ________ (pleuvoir) ce matin.

2. Le bulletin météo prévoit qu’il _______(pleuvoir) demain.

Now, I would like to ask that in Case 1, it is quite identifiable that one would use Le Subjonctif Présent as there is a sense of doubt and uncertainty expressed in this sentence.The required conjugation would be “pleuve”.

In Case 2, the correct answer mentioned is “pleuvra” though I had written ‘pleuve’ as I interpreted it the same way as in the former case since the weather department always predicts and never ascertains the weather.

Having re-read the notes, I further question why can’t one use “pleuvra” (Le Futur Simple)  in Case 1 then ?

I would request you to please highlight the grammatical concept behind the same.

Merci beaucoup et je vous souhaite une bonne journée !

Asked 5 years ago
CécileNative French expert teacher in KwiziqCorrect answer

Hi Shrey

In the second case, you have to use the future or the near future as the verb 'prévoir' indicates a forecast from the Met Office, and we have to assume that they know what they are talking about and it is going to rain!

Their prediction is not an assumption as it is based on scientific data.

Hope this helps!

Shrey R.A1 Kwiziq Q&A super contributor

Merci beaucoup Madame Cécile ! 

I got to know that the words “ Le bulletin météo prévoit” have introduced a ‘sense of confirmation’ which calls for “Le Futur”

However, the first case, here, indicates a ‘hypothesis’ or a ‘supposition’ and hence “Le  Subjonctif Présent” .

Merci encore Madame ! À bientôt !

Shrey R. asked:

L’Indicatif(Le Futur Simple) vs Le Subjonctif Présent

Bonjour Madame Cécile !

Here are two sentences involving the verb “pleuvoir”->

1. Il est possible qu’il ________ (pleuvoir) ce matin.

2. Le bulletin météo prévoit qu’il _______(pleuvoir) demain.

Now, I would like to ask that in Case 1, it is quite identifiable that one would use Le Subjonctif Présent as there is a sense of doubt and uncertainty expressed in this sentence.The required conjugation would be “pleuve”.

In Case 2, the correct answer mentioned is “pleuvra” though I had written ‘pleuve’ as I interpreted it the same way as in the former case since the weather department always predicts and never ascertains the weather.

Having re-read the notes, I further question why can’t one use “pleuvra” (Le Futur Simple)  in Case 1 then ?

I would request you to please highlight the grammatical concept behind the same.

Merci beaucoup et je vous souhaite une bonne journée !

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