Vouloir que is always followed by Le Subjonctif Présent (subjunctive mood)

In: Level B2, Verbs Tenses & Conjugation, Subjonctif présent, Mode subjonctif
Questions: 2

Look at these sentences using vouloir que:
 

Veux-tu que j'aille là-bas ?
Do you want me to go there?

 

Je veux que tu sois à l'heure.
I want you to be on time.

 

Veux-tu que je le fasse ? 
Do you want me to do it?

 

Je veux que tu fasses tes devoirs.
I want you to do your homework.

 

Je veux que tu ailles à la boulangerie
I want you to go to the bakery 

 

Veux-tu que je sois ici ? 
Do you want me to be here? 

Note that to express a desire for someone else to do something, in French you'll use vouloir que always followed by a verb in Le Subjonctif.


Note also that the same rule applies to j'aimerais que or je voudrais que :

J'aimerais que tu sois plus gentil avec ton frère.
I'd like you to be nicer with your brother.

Nous voudrions qu'ils partent.
We'd like them to leave.



Learn more about these related French grammar topics

Subjonctif présent

Mode subjonctif

Examples and resources

Veux-tu que j'aille là-bas ?
Do you want me to go there?

Je veux que tu ailles à la boulangerie
I want you to go to the bakery 

Ils veulent que je finisse mon repas.
They want me to finish my meal.

Je veux que tu fasses tes devoirs.
I want you to do your homework.

Je veux que tu arrêtes de l'embêter.
I want you to stop bothering him.

Nous voudrions qu'ils partent.
We'd like them to leave.

Veux-tu que je le fasse ? 
Do you want me to do it?

Il veut qu'elle vienne ce soir.
He wants her to come tonight.

J'aimerais que tu sois plus gentil avec ton frère.
I'd like you to be nicer with your brother.

Je veux que tu sois à l'heure.
I want you to be on time.

Veux-tu que je sois ici ? 
Do you want me to be here? 

Q&A

Andy

Kwiziq community member

30 December 2016

1 reply

Je m’en veux mais il n’y a rien que je puisse faire pour y échapper.

Hello. In your Week 35 B2 writing test, the above phrase triggers the subjunctive. It translates as: "I feel bad about it, but there's nothing that I can do to get out of it!" I suspect that it may be the emotion "I feel bad ... that" that triggers the subjunctive, because no desire or need is shown. However I'd be very grateful for any further help with this (extremely idiomatic) phrase! Thank-you

Aurélie

Kwiziq language super star

3 January 2017

3/01/17

Bonjour Andy ! Here the use of Subjonctif is actually triggered by "il n'y a rien que" (there is nothing that...): Indeed, here the existence of something you can do is negated by "rien", and negating or denying something's existence and lack of certainty go hand-in-hand here. Le Subjonctif highlights that you cannot be absolutely certain this is the case, it introduces a doubt as to whether there is actually nothing you can do. I hope that's helpful! Bonne Année !

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