Breakdown of Il faut qu'on développe le réseau de transport.
on
one / we (informal)
de
of / from / any (in negative sentences) / about (concerning)
il
it (impersonal subject)
falloir
to be necessary / must (impersonal)
que
that (introducing a clause)
développer
to develop
le réseau
the network
le transport
the transport
Questions & Answers about Il faut qu'on développe le réseau de transport.
Why does développe look exactly like the normal present tense if it is supposed to be in the subjunctive?
Il faut que (it is necessary that) is a classic trigger for the subjunctive. However, for regular -er verbs like développer, the singular subjunctive forms (je, tu, il/elle/on) and the ils/elles form are identical to the regular present tense. You only hear and see the difference in the nous and vous forms (like que nous développions).
The translation says 'We must', but the French uses Il faut qu'on. Can I just say Nous devons?
Why is it réseau de transport and not réseau du transport?
Is there a way to say this using il faut but without having to use the subjunctive?
Yes, you can use an infinitive verb if you drop que and the subject pronoun (on). You would simply say Il faut développer le réseau de transport. This translates to 'It is necessary to develop the transport network' in a general sense, without specifying exactly who must do it.
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