Subjectivity
The subjunctive is frequently used whenever there is the least bit of judgement made about something.
| Il serait bon que Marie aille se brosser les
dents. Son père approuve qu'il l'ait epousée. Il convient que Louis la conduise à la gare. Il vaut mieux que vous pensiez aux possibilités positives plutôt que négatives.
|
Besides simple approval or disapproval, whenever any sort of emotion is expressed in regards to something use the subjunctive.
| C'est incroyable que mon comptable ait
perdu tout mon argent. It's incredible that my accountant lost all my money. C'est surprenant que la vie soit apparue sur Terre. It is surprising that life appeared on Earth. Amélie est ravie que son petit ami lui ait offert des fleurs. Amélie is delighted that her boy friend gave her flowers. Madeleine est enchantée que le petit ami d'Amelie l'ait quittée pour elle. Madeleine is delighted that the boyfriend of Amelie left her for her. C'est indispensable que tu apprennes ta lecon. It is essential that you learn your lesson. Quel dommage que nous ayons raté la lecture de Bernard Pivot. What a pity that we missed the of Bernard Pivot. Cela m'agace qu'il m'ait planquée. It aggravates me that he stood me up. |
Contrary to how the subjunctive was used in the sections discussing volition and doubt, here the subjunctive is often used within phrases that express fact- phrases that actually express the concrete. The focus of the sentence is key here. The emphasis of the above sentences is on the judgment or emotion, thus the subjunctive is used. If the sentence is constructed in such a way that the reporting of concrete reality is the focus, then the indicative is used.