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Possible, probable or certain? French subjunctive quiz

Edited by Chris Lee · Updated · About the library

Compare je doute que, il est possible que and il est probable que. Study the construction pairs, then choose the right mood in eight French questions.

In short

Je doute que and il est possible que take the subjunctive: Je doute qu’elle ait le temps. Affirmative il est probable que and il est certain que normally take the indicative. Learn the whole expression: the mood follows the construction.

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Two travellers under a French railway canopy looking thoughtfully toward an approaching train, one checking an unmarked watch.
Uncertain arrival plans give context to il est possible que. Illustration: Atelier
Study first: compare the frames
FrameExampleMood
je doute queJe doute qu’il comprenne.Subjunctive
il est possible queIl est possible qu’il vienne.Subjunctive
il est probable queIl est probable qu’il viendra.Indicative: future here
il est certain queIl est certain qu’il est libre.Indicative: present here
il n’est pas certain queIl n’est pas certain qu’il soit libre.Subjunctive in this doubt reading
j’espère queJ’espère qu’il viendra.Indicative: future here
je souhaite queJe souhaite qu’il vienne.Subjunctive

Possible and probable both concern an event that may happen, but their usual affirmative constructions differ. Likewise, a hope can use the indicative: J’espère qu’il viendra. A wish with souhaiter uses the subjunctive: Je souhaite qu’il vienne.

Il se peut que nous soyons en retard demain.

We may be late tomorrow.

The present subjunctive can refer to a future situation. Demain gives the time; il se peut que selects the mood.

Choose the usual form for each stated construction. Questions 1–5 compare doubt and certainty. Questions 6–7 compare hoping with wishing. The last question checks what a subjunctive sentence tells you about time.

  1. Question 1No account needed
    Use avoir after an expression of doubt.Je doute que Léa ___ assez de temps.

    Choose one answer.

    Answer and explanation

    ait. After je doute que, use subjunctive ait. The present indicative is a and the future is aura.

  2. Question 2No account needed
    Complete the possibility frame with être.Il est possible que la réponse ___ correcte.

    Choose one answer.

    Answer and explanation

    soit. Il est possible que takes the subjunctive. Soit agrees with the singular subject la réponse.

  3. Question 3No account needed
    Choose the usual indicative in this affirmative probability statement about tomorrow.Il est probable que Samir ___ demain.

    Choose one answer.

    Answer and explanation

    viendra. Affirmative il est probable que normally takes the indicative. Here the future viendra places the arrival tomorrow.

  4. Question 4No account needed
    Choose the ordinary affirmative certainty construction about a current fact.

    Choose one answer.

    Answer and explanation

    Il est certain qu’elle a raison.. Affirmative il est certain que normally introduces the indicative: elle a raison.

  5. Question 5No account needed
    The speaker leaves the possibility open. Complete with subjunctive pouvoir.Il n’est pas certain qu’elle ___ participer.

    Choose one answer.

    Answer and explanation

    puisse. In this negative certainty expression, puisse presents participation as open to doubt.

  6. Question 6No account needed
    Complete the ordinary affirmative hope about tomorrow with the future.J’espère qu’il ___ son entretien demain.

    Choose one answer.

    Answer and explanation

    réussira. Affirmative j’espère que normally takes the indicative. The future here is réussira.

  7. Question 7No account needed
    Now express a wish with souhaiter.Je souhaite qu’il ___ son entretien.

    Choose one answer.

    Answer and explanation

    réussisse. Je souhaite que takes the subjunctive. With il, the form of réussir is réussisse.

  8. Question 8No account needed
    When could the event take place?Il se peut que nous soyons absents demain.

    Choose one answer.

    Answer and explanation

    Tomorrow: the present subjunctive can refer to the future.. Demain locates the event in the future. The mood after il se peut que remains subjunctive.

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