Subjonctif or futur

RoopaC1Kwiziq community member

Subjonctif or futur

Hi,

In the last sentence we had to translate "I don't think there will be a problem". 

I know that with "Je ne pense pas" we use subjonctif but since the sentence was in the future tense I translated it to "Je ne pense pas qu'il y aura de problème" but the correct answer was "Je ne pense pas qu'il y ait de problème". Doesn't this actually translate to "I don't think there is a problem" rather than "there will be a problem" ? How do we convey the future tense part of it?

Thanks and regards

Roopa

Asked 2 years ago
CélineKwiziq team memberCorrect answer

Bonjour Roopa,

Shobana's answer is correct in that the "present subjunctive is used" even for events set in the future. 

For this particular sentence, the context will give you a clue if the action is set in the future or present time:

Context: a mechanic looking at your car and saying "Je ne pense pas qu'il y ait de problème avec votre voiture" -> I don't think there is a problem with your car (as I am looking at it) - Present

Context: Talking about an event you are preparing for and saying "Je ne pense pas qu'il y ait de problème pour demain" -> I dont't think there will be a problem for tomorrow - Future

I hope this is helpful.

Bonne journée !

ShobanaC1Kwiziq community member

Hi Roopa, 

This is my understanding.  Hope it helps.

https://www.lawlessfrench.com/grammar/subjunctive/

There is no future subjunctive in French. Even for subjective situations that are clearly set in the future, the present subjunctive is used.

 

Il faut que tu prennes le bus demain.You’ll have to take the bus tomorrow.
Having said this, I do get your point Roopa. "Je ne pense pas qu'il y ait de problème" Does this mean "I dont think there is a  problem" or "I dont think there will be a problem? . How do you differentiate

Can anybody else help.

 

 

Subjonctif or futur

Hi,

In the last sentence we had to translate "I don't think there will be a problem". 

I know that with "Je ne pense pas" we use subjonctif but since the sentence was in the future tense I translated it to "Je ne pense pas qu'il y aura de problème" but the correct answer was "Je ne pense pas qu'il y ait de problème". Doesn't this actually translate to "I don't think there is a problem" rather than "there will be a problem" ? How do we convey the future tense part of it?

Thanks and regards

Roopa

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