The verb VOULOIR is irregular in the Subjonctif Présent:
| que je veuille | I want |
| que tu veuilles | you want |
| qu'il/elle/on veuille | he/she/we want |
| que nous voulions | we want |
| que vous vouliez | you want |
| qu'ils/elles veuillent | they want |
Note that the nous and vous forms are the same as in L'Imparfait. (See Conjugate regular verbs in L'Imparfait (imperfect tense))
As for the other forms, the irregular root veuill- is followed by the regular endings of Le Subjonctif Présent:
-e, -es, -e, [-], [-], -ent
Que doit-il faire pour que vous vouliez sortir avec lui ?
What does he have to do for you to want to go out with him?
Learn more about these related French grammar topics
Examples and resources
Je doute qu'ils veuillent venir.
I doubt they want to come.
Il ne croit pas que nous lui voulions du mal.
He doesn't believe we want to hurt him.
Il faut déjà qu'il veuille bien m'aider.
He has to be willing to help me to start with.
Ils n'arrivent pas à croire que je veuille rester !
They can't believe that I want to stay!
C'est comme ça, que tu le veuilles ou pas.
It's this way, whether you want it or not.
Que doit-il faire pour que vous vouliez sortir avec lui ?
What does he have to do for you to want to go out with him?
Q&A
Janice
Kwiziq community member
14 January 2017
2 replies
Vouliez vs. veuilliez
When I read signs etc. that seem to use the subjunctive they use "que vous veuilliez" What am I missing? :-)
Aurélie
Kwiziq language super star
16/01/17
The form that you see on signs (veuillez, not veuilliez) - and that indeed looks similar to Le Subjonctif Présent -
is actually L'Impératif Présent, used to express commands and advice.
The difference is that with L'Impératif you don't express the verb's subject ([vous] Veuillez), and of course that Le Subjonctif Présent form with "vous" would be "vous vouliez".
In French, you'll use "Veuillez + infinitif" as a formal polite way to ask someone to do something:
"Veuillez ouvrir votre cahier." (Please open your notebook.)
"Veuillez m'excuser" (Please do excuse me)
I hope that's helpful!
À bientôt !
Janice
Kwiziq community member
17/01/17
I was definitely confused by that difference on signs!
What also confused me though was when I tried to look vouloir up on the
Figaro conjugasion site there seemed to be two forms of conjugasions?!
What are the 1ere and 2eme forme of a verb?
Not all of the forms of vouloir change...
http://leconjugueur.lefigaro.fr/conjugaison/verbe/vouloir.html
Thank you :-)
Donald
Kwiziq community member
11 August 2017
3 replies
What drives this sentence to be in the subjunctive tense?
Ron
Kwiziq community member
12 August 2017
12/08/17
I looked at the lesson referenced above and was unable to locate the sentence you mentioned. Is there a specific phrase that you had in mind?
I too am curious at times when I read a phrase in French to know what drives the verb tense other than the French grammar rules.
I am quite intrigued with your question and look forward to a knowledgeable reply from the Kwiziq team. There must be some underlying rationale, other than just the rules, as to the reasons the subjunctive is used.
Bonne chance,
Ron
Aurélie
Kwiziq language super star
23 August 2017
23/08/17
Unfortunately, I'm unable to see the sentence you're referring to.
When using the Q&A, always copy and paste the specific French you refer to, and I'll be happy to clarify things for you :)
À bientôt !
Donald
Kwiziq community member
23 August 2017
23/08/17