Le subjonctif avec pronoms négatifs et indéfinis
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The subjunctive is required after any type of construction that indicates negativity or doubt, including negative pronouns and indefinite pronouns followed by a relative pronoun.
Negative pronouns
Ne … personne and ne … rien call for the subjunctive.
Par exemple…
Je ne connais personne qui sache lire le latin. | I don’t know anyone who knows how to read Latin. | |
Elle ne veut rien que tu vendes. | She doesn’t want anything that you’re selling. |
Indefinite pronouns
Quelqu’un qui and quelque chose qui require the subjunctive when they indicate that you’re not sure whether such a person or thing exists.
Par exemple…
Rappelez-moi s’il y a quelqu’un qui se souvienne de son nom. | Call me back if there’s someone who remembers his name. | |
Je veux quelque chose qui puisse simplifier la vie. | I want something that can simplify life. |
Look at the difference when you do know it exists:
J’ai trouvé quelqu’un qui se souvient de son nom. | I found someone who remembers his name. | |
J’ai acheté quelque chose qui peut simplifier la vie. | I bought something that can simplify life. |
More French subjunctive
- Introduction to the subjunctive
- Regular subjunctive conjugations
- Irregular subjunctive conjugations
- Subjunctive with negation and interrogation
- Avoiding the subjunctive
- The Subjunctivisor!
Related lessons
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