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Just as we use the subjunctive after expressions of emotion, we also use it to express our desires, wishes, and expectations for other people.

### Vouloir que & Expressions of Desire

When you state that you want someone else to do something, use **vouloir que** (to want that) or **aimer que** (to like that) followed by the subjunctive mood.

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This rule holds true no matter how you express that desire. It works with the conditional **je voudrais que** (I would like that) as well as in negative sentences. Remember to contract **que** to **qu'** before a vowel!

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### Setting Expectations

The key trigger for the subjunctive here is the *change of subject*. The person doing the wanting is different from the person doing the acting. If you are just talking about your own desires for yourself, you simply use the infinitive (for example: *Je veux m'appliquer* - I want to apply myself).

This "change of subject" structure is perfect for discussing rules, demands, and classroom expectations. 

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Notice in the last sentence that the irregular subjunctive form of *être* (**soit**) is used.

Subjunctive for desires (vouloir que, aimer que)

adjective

adverb

conjunction

contraction

determiner

interjection

noun

numeral

particle

phrase

prep

preposition

pronoun

sentence

verb

Definite articles and elision (le, la, l')

Indefinite articles (un, une)

Identifying vs. describing (c'est vs. il est)

Feminine adjective agreement (+e)

Plural pronouns and 'to be' (nous sommes, vous êtes)

Formal and informal you (tu vs. vous)

Plural nouns and indefinite articles (des... -s)

Plural definite articles (les)

Plural adjective agreement (+s)

Stressed pronouns (moi, toi, lui)

The verb "to have" singular (j'ai, tu as, il a)

The verb "to have" plural (nous avons, vous avez, ils ont)

There is / there are (il y a)

Basic verbal negation (ne... pas)

Negating "there is" (il n'y a pas de)

Regular -er verbs singular (je parle, tu parles, il parle)

Regular -er verbs plural (nous parlons, vous parlez, ils parlent)

The verb "to be called" (s'appeler)

Yes/no questions with intonation (Tu parles ?)

Yes/no questions with "Est-ce que" (Est-ce que tu parles ?)

Informal questions (qui, que, quoi)

Standard questions (est-ce que)

Singular possessives (mon, ton, son)

Plural possessives (notre, votre, leur)

Demonstrative adjectives (ce, cet, cette, ces)

Adjective placement

Numbers 1 to 20

Numbers 21 to 100

Age and physical states (avoir)

The verb to go (aller)

The preposition to/at (à, au, aux)

Question word for location (où)

Prepositions for cities and countries (à, en, au, aux)

The verb to come (venir)

The preposition from/of (de, du, des)

Question word for origin (d'où)

The verb to do/make (faire)

Days of the week (lundi, mardi)

Telling time (il est... heure)

Question words for time (quand, à quelle heure)

The verb to take or have (prendre)

The verb to drink (boire)

Partitive articles (du, de la, de l')

Zero quantity (pas de)

Expressions of quantity (un peu de, beaucoup de)

Asking how much or how many (combien, combien de)

Very vs. a lot (très, beaucoup)

The verb to want (vouloir)

Polite requests (je voudrais)

The verb to be able to (pouvoir)

Obligation (devoir)

General obligation (il faut)

Why and because (pourquoi, parce que)

Expressing purpose (pour)

Reflexive pronouns (me, te, se, nous, vous)

Daily routine verbs (se lever, s'habiller)

Adverbs of frequency (parfois, rarement)

Never (ne... jamais)

Regular -ir verbs (choisir, finir)

Regular -re verbs (attendre, répondre)

Irregular -ir verbs (sortir, partir, dormir)

Informal 'we' (on)

The imperative mood

Direct object pronouns (le, la, les, l')

The near future (aller + infinitive)

The recent past (venir de + infinitive)

The passé composé with avoir

Irregular past participles (eu, été, fait, pris, vu)

The passé composé with être

The negative passé composé (ne ... pas)

Saying goodbye

Please, sorry and thank you

Which / what (quel)

The indefinite adjective (tout, tous)

Irregular feminine adjectives (-euse, -ve)

Double consonant adjectives (-enne, -ette)

Feminine adjective endings (-ère, -trice)

Irregular plurals (-x)

Plurals ending in -al (-aux)

Present tense stem changes (e to è)

Accent stem changes (é to è)

Double consonant verbs (appeler, jeter)

Verbs ending in -yer (payer, envoyer)

Irregular communication verbs (dire, lire)

Irregular action verbs (écrire, mettre)

Question	Answer
demanding	exigeant
silent (quiet, making no noise)	silencieux
The demanding teacher wants us to be silent.	Le professeur exigeant veut que nous soyons silencieux.
the instruction	la consigne
I want you to respect this instruction.	Je veux que tu respectes cette consigne.
to apply oneself	s'appliquer
the trimester	le trimestre
The parents want their children to apply themselves this trimester.	Les parents veulent que leurs enfants s'appliquent ce trimestre.
the attitude (f)	l'attitude
You should apply yourself, your attitude is bad.	Tu devrais t'appliquer, ton attitude est mauvaise.
to cheat	tricher
We do not want him to cheat during the exam.	Nous ne voulons pas qu'il triche pendant l'examen.
the punishment	la punition
The student cheats and waits for his punishment.	L'étudiant triche et attend sa punition.
I would like him to have a positive attitude.	Je voudrais qu'il ait une attitude positive.
This trimester, you should answer the questions.	Ce trimestre, tu devrais répondre aux questions.
The teacher wants the punishment to be strict.	Le professeur veut que la punition soit stricte.
Our new teacher is very demanding, but honest.	Notre nouveau professeur est très exigeant, mais honnête.
The students read the instructions and remain silent.	Les étudiants lisent les consignes et restent silencieux.
the presence	la présence
The teacher verifies your presence every day.	Le professeur vérifie votre présence tous les jours.
the absence (f)	l'absence
Your absence is a big problem for the team.	Ton absence est un gros problème pour l'équipe.
He wants us to explain our absence.	Il veut que nous expliquions notre absence.
We demand your presence in class.	Nous exigeons votre présence au cours.
the desire, the craving (f)	l'envie
My desire to leave is strong.	Mon envie de partir est forte.
I understand your desire to go home.	Je comprends ton envie de rentrer.

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