Français II – Leçon 6A Structures -Demonstrative pronouns -The subjunctive (Part 1)

Demonstrative pronouns You previously learned the demonstrative adjectives: ce, cet, cette, ces (this/these, that/those). Demonstrative pronouns refer to a person or thing that has already been mentioned. Examples of English demonstrative pronouns include this one and those.

Example: L’énergie qui coute Celle qui coute Moins cher est plus dangereuse. Celle qui coute moins cher est plus dangereuse. (The energy that costs less is more dangerous. ) (The one that costs less is more dangerous.)

Demonstrative pronouns agree in number and gender with the noun to which they refer. singular plural this one; that one; the one these; those; the ones masculine celui ceux feminine celle this one; that one; the one celles these; those; the ones

Demonstrative pronouns must be followed by one of three constructions: -ci or –là, a relative clause, or a prepositional phrase. -ci; -là Quels emballages? Ceux-ci? (Which packages? These here?) Quelle bouteille? Celle-là en verre? (Which bottle? The glass one there?)

Relative clause Quelle femme? Celle qui parle? (Which woman? The one who is talking?) C’est celui qu’on a entendu à la radio. (He is the one we heard on the radio.)

Prepositional phrase Quel problème? Celui de l’effet de serre? (What problem? The one about the greenhouse effect?) Ces sacs coutent plus cher que ceux en papier. (Those bags cost more than the paper ones. )

The subjunctive (part 1): Introduction, regular verbs, and impersonal expressions. With the exception of commands and the conditional, the verb forms you have learned have been in the indicative mood. The indicative is used to state facts and to express actions or states that the speaker considers real and definite. In contrast, the subjunctive mood expresses the speaker’s subjective attitudes toward events and actions or states the speaker’s views as uncertain or hypothetical.

Forming the subjunctive for present one-stem verbs The je, tu, il/elle, and ils/elles forms of the three verb types form the subjunctive the same way. They add the subjunctive endings to the stem of the ils/elles form of the present indicative. [present indicative of ils/elles] [present subjunctive] [infinitive] parler parlent que je parle finir finissent que je finisse attendre attendent que je attende

Forming the subjunctive for present one-stem verbs (cont.) The nous and vous forms of the present subjunctive are the same as those of the imparfait. Nous  -ions Il faut que nous commencions. (It is necessary that we start) Vous  -iez Il est bon que vous réfléchissiez. (It is good that you’re thinking.)

Present subjunctive of one-stem verbs Parler Finir attendre que je/j’ que tu que il/elle que nous que vous qu’ils/elles parle finisse attende parles finisses attendes parle finisse attende parlions finissions attendions parliez finissiez attendiez parlent finissent attendent These are called “one-stem verbs” because the same stem is used for all the endings.

Present subjunctive of two-stem verbs Two-stem verbs have a different stem for nous and vous, but the rule still applies: the forms are identical to those of the imparfait. Present subjunctive of two-stem verbs acheter venir prendre boire que je/j’ que tu qu’il/elle que nous que vous qu’ils/elles achète vienne prenne boive achètes viennes prennes boives achète vienne boive prenne achetions venions prenions buvions achetiez veniez preniez buviez achètent viennent prennent boivent

The subjunctive is usually used in complex sentences that consist of a main clause and a subordinate clause. The main clause contains a verb or expressions that triggers the subjunctive. The word que connects the two clauses.

These impersonal expressions of opinion are often followed by clauses in the subjunctive. Il est bon que… It is good that… Il est dommage que… It is a shame that… Il est essentiel que… It is essential that… It is important that… Il est important que…

Il est indispensable que… It is essential that… Il est nécessaire que… It is necessary that… Il est possible que… It is possible that… Il faut que… One must…/it is necessary that… Il vaut mieux que… It is better that…

Add de before the infinitive after expressions with être. The previous expressions are followed by the infinitive, without que, if no person or thing is specified. Add de before the infinitive after expressions with être. Il est essentiel qu’on réduise le gaspillage. It is essential that we reduce waste. but Il est essentiel de réduire le gaspillage. It is essential to reduce waste.