Question 1

Why is réalise in the present subjunctive when the main verb (désirait) is in the past tense?

Accepted Answer

In modern French, the sequence of tenses is simplified. We use the present subjunctive (réalise) after a past-tense verb to show that the action happens at the same time or after the main desire. The traditional choice would be the imperfect subjunctive (réalisasse), but that is now only used in highly formal literature.

Question 2

Could we use the past subjunctive (aie réalisé) in this sentence instead?

Accepted Answer

Not without changing the logic of the sentence entirely. You use the past subjunctive when the action in the que clause happened before the main verb's action. Since fulfilling the wish is a potential future action relative to her desiring it, we must use the present subjunctive.

Question 3

Réalise looks exactly like the present indicative. How can we tell it is subjunctive here?

Accepted Answer

For regular -er verbs, the present indicative and present subjunctive forms are completely identical for the je, tu, il/elle/on, and ils/elles pronouns. We know it is in the subjunctive mood here because it is triggered by désirait que, an expression of will or desire that strictly requires the subjunctive.

Question 4

Doesn't réaliser usually mean "to realize" (to notice or understand)?

Accepted Answer

In French, the primary meaning of réaliser is "to make real," "to carry out," or "to fulfill" (like réaliser un souhait). While modern French often uses it to mean "to realize/notice" due to English influence, the traditional and most natural way to express "to realize/notice" is the reflexive verb se rendre compte.

Elle désirait que je réalise son souhait.

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