Question 1

How is the past subjunctive formed in ait obtenu?

Accepted Answer

The past subjunctive is a compound tense. You form it by taking the present subjunctive of the auxiliary verb, which is avoir here (giving us ait for il), and adding the past participle of the main verb (obtenir becomes obtenu).

Question 2

Why use the past subjunctive (ait obtenu) here instead of the present subjunctive (obtienne)?

Accepted Answer

We use the past subjunctive to show that the action in the que clause happened before the emotion or judgment in the main clause. The judgment (it is unfair) is happening now, but he already got the raise in the past. If he were getting the raise right now or in the future, you would use the present subjunctive: qu'il obtienne.

Question 3

What makes C'est injuste que a subjunctive trigger?

Accepted Answer

Expressions that show a subjective judgment, opinion, or emotion always trigger the subjunctive. Since saying something is injuste (unfair) is a personal judgment rather than a statement of objective fact, the verb that follows it must be in the subjunctive mood.

Question 4

Does augmentation always mean a pay raise?

Accepted Answer

While une augmentation literally translates to "an increase," it is the standard, everyday way to say "a raise" in a work context. You can also say une augmentation de salaire if you need to be very specific, but usually the context makes it obvious.

C'est injuste qu'il ait obtenu cette augmentation.

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