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Grammar
Objective: Apply the subjunctive in relative clauses after indefinite antecedents, superlatives, and restrictive expressions such as le seul or le premier.
| Trigger | Example | English |
|---|---|---|
| indefinite antecedent | Je cherche un livre qui soit intéressant. | I am looking for a book that is interesting. |
| superlative | C'est le meilleur film que j'aie vu. | It is the best film I have seen. |
| restrictive le seul | Elle est la seule personne qui sache la vérité. | She is the only person who knows the truth. |
| le premier / le dernier | C'est le premier qui ait réussi l'examen. | He is the first who has passed the exam. |
| indefinite pronoun | Y a-t-il quelqu'un qui puisse m'aider ? | Is there anyone who can help me? |
| negative main clause | Il n'y a rien qui me plaise. | There is nothing that pleases me. |
The antecedent un appartement is indefinite, since no specific flat has been identified. The relative clause describes what the speaker is looking for, so it takes the subjunctive.
The superlative le meilleur restricts the antecedent, and the relative clause that follows takes the subjunctive. The auxiliary avoir takes the form aie for the first-person singular.
The indefinite article un presents the flat as not yet identified, so the relative clause takes the subjunctive soit.
The definite article l' presents the flat as identified, so the relative clause takes the indicative est.
The superlative le meilleur triggers the subjunctive, and the auxiliary avoir takes the form aie.
The negative main clause il n'y a rien presents the antecedent as non-existent, so the relative clause takes the subjunctive plaise.
The restrictive expression la seule personne isolates the antecedent, and the relative clause takes the subjunctive sache.
7 exercises · about 11 minutes
| future-oriented search |
| Je voudrais un poste qui me convienne. |
| I would like a position that suits me. |
The expression le seul, la seule, and their plural forms introduce a relative clause in the subjunctive, since the antecedent is isolated from every other candidate.
The indefinite pronoun quelqu'un introduces a search for a person who may not exist, so the relative clause takes the subjunctive puisse.
The indefinite pronoun quelqu'un introduces a search, so the relative clause takes the subjunctive puisse.
The expression le premier triggers the subjunctive, and the auxiliary avoir takes the form ait.
The indefinite antecedent un candidat is not yet identified, so the relative clause takes the subjunctive ait. The familiar register may use the indicative.