Question 1

Why do we use the subjunctive after sans que in this sentence?

Accepted Answer

The phrase sans que means 'without [someone] doing [something]'. It sets up a negative condition, describing an event that doesn't happen. Because the camera triggering the alarm isn't a realized fact, sans que always forces the following verb into the subjunctive mood.

Question 2

The verb déclenche looks exactly like the normal present tense. Are we sure it is subjunctive?

Accepted Answer

Yes! For regular -er verbs like déclencher (to trigger), the present subjunctive endings for je, tu, il/elle, and ils/elles are identical to the normal present tense (the indicative). Even though it looks the same, the strict rule for sans que means it is grammatically in the subjunctive here.

Question 3

Could I just use the infinitive and say sans déclencher instead of sans que la caméra déclenche?

Accepted Answer

You cannot use the infinitive here because there are two different subjects. The spy (l'espion) is entering, but the camera (la caméra) is what triggers the alarm. You can only use sans + infinitive when the same subject does both actions, such as in the sentence L'espion entre sans déclencher l'alarme (The spy enters without triggering the alarm himself).

Question 4

English uses an '-ing' verb ('triggering') here. Why doesn't French use a similar form?

Accepted Answer

English often pairs 'without' with a noun and an '-ing' verb ('without the camera triggering'). French doesn't use its '-ant' participle forms this way. Instead, you must create a full new clause using sans que (literally 'without that') followed by a subject and a conjugated verb in the subjunctive.

L'espion entre sans que la caméra déclenche l'alarme.

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