Use the past subjunctive (le subjonctif passé) to express how you feel about an event that has already happened. Any emotion that triggers the present subjunctive triggers the past subjunctive when the action is in the past.
Forming the past subjunctive
Form the past subjunctive with an auxiliary verb (avoir or être) in the present subjunctive, plus a past participle.
Most verbs take avoir. Here is a quick reminder of its present subjunctive forms:
| Pronoun | Avoir (Subj.) | Past Participle |
|---|---|---|
| je / j' | aie | décroché |
| tu | aies | décroché |
| il / elle / on | ait | décroché |
| nous | ayons | décroché |
| vous | ayez | décroché |
| ils / elles | aient | décroché |
Here are some examples expressing joy over a past success:
| I am thrilled that my friend landed this job. | Je suis ravi que mon ami ait décroché ce poste. |
| I am overjoyed that we received the approval. | Je suis comblé que nous ayons reçu l'approbation. |
| I am glad that you received the director's approval. | Je suis content que tu aies reçu l'approbation du directeur. |
Stronger emotions
The same rule applies for stronger emotional reactions, such as being amazed (émerveillé) or deeply moved (bouleversé).
| I am amazed that they won the match. | Je suis émerveillé qu'ils aient remporté le match. |
| I am deeply moved that she triumphed yesterday. | Je suis bouleversé qu'elle ait triomphé hier. |
Verbs conjugated with être
Just as in the passé composé, certain verbs (mostly involving motion or a change of state) use être as their auxiliary.
For these verbs, conjugate être in the present subjunctive (sois, sois, soit, soyons, soyez, soient). Remember that past participles used with être must agree in gender and number with the subject!
| I am relieved that he arrived on time for the interview. | Je suis soulagé qu'il soit arrivé à l'heure pour l'entretien. |