SUBJUNCTIVE
WITH
IMPERSONAL "IL"="It"/"One"

I. When using an impersonal expression -- one in which the subject is "il" and means "it" or "one" -- the main clause is followed by the infinitive when making a general statement about all people.

Examples:
1. Il est impossible d'être parfait.
2. Il vaut mieux se reposer après tant de travail.

NOTE 1: Some impersonal expressions take "de" before the infinitive.

NOTE 2: "It is" is normally translated by "Ce + être." But when introducing a new idea with an adjective, one usually says "Il + être + adjective."

Exercises: Translate:Click for vocabulary help
1. It is sad to see so much poverty.

2. It is better to get used to one's surroundings.

3. It is fair to consider all opinions.

4. On must never do without sleep.

II. When using an impersonal expression and when making a statement that is valid only for a specific person, group, or thing, the main clause is followed by: "que + subject + subjunctive/indicative:

Examples:
1. Il est préférable que Michel vienne nous voir.
2. Il est certain qu'elles travailleront demain.

A) Use the subjunctive after impersonal expressions that signify
necessity, judgment or doubt (including the negative or
interrogative of expressions indicating certainty, probability, thought):

Examples:
1. Il est essential que les enfants aillent à l'école.=It is essential for children to go to school.
2. Il ne convient pas que les riches se plaignent des pauvres.=It is not proper for the rich to complain about the poor.
3. Il est douteux que les jeunes se doutent de sa stratégie.=It is doubtful that the youth suspect his strategy.
4. Il n'est pas certain qu'ils se soient débarrassés de leur responsabilité.=It is not certain that...
5. Il ne me semble pas qu'elle soit fatiguée.=It does not seem to me that...

NOTE: Where French uses the subjunctive after an impersonal expression, English sometimes uses "for + infinitive," as in the first two examples.

Exercises. Translate: Click for vocabulary help
5. It is rare for a dog to hate humans.

6. It is necessary for me to realize that truth is not a universal value.

7. It is not at all certain that he will worry about it.

8. It does not seem to him that they know what's happening.

B. Use the indicative after all other impersonal expressions, such as those expressing (affirmatively) certainty, probability, or thought.

Examples:
1. Il me semble qu'elle rentrera bientôt.
2. Il est certain que les animaux auront persisté.
3. Il est probable que le capitalisme l'emportera sur la solidarité.

SUJETS IMPERSONNELS (IL ("IT"/"ONE"))

      SUBJONCTIF
    QUE
(CONSEIL
PERSONNEL)		 INDICATIF
IL(CE) +VERBE    
       
    de, à,__ +
INFINITIF
(CONSEIL
GENERAL)		  


CONJUNCTION OR PREPOSITION?

    SUBJONCTIF PRESENT
PASSE
  CONJONCTION    

PROPOSITION
("clause")		   INDICATIF TOUS LES TEMPS
  PREPOSITION NOM  
       

 

 

Exercises: infinitive?, subjonctive? indicative? Translate: Click for vocabulary help

9. It is probable that they will not begin to talk to us.

10. It is proper for him to know the general.

11. It is essential to listen to others.

12. On must not fancy oneself to be better than others.

13. It is clear that they will hasten to follow the president.

14. It is idiotic for him to believe that he is immortal.

Vocabulary:
poverty=la pauvreté
it is better=il vaut mieux
to get used to=se faire à, s'habituer à, s'accoutumer à
surroundings=le milieu
to happen=se passer
one must=il faut
to realize=s'apercevoir de, se rendre compte de
to worry=s'inquiéter de
it is proper=il convient
to fancy oneself=s'imaginer
to hasten to=s'empresser de

Nom:

Nom de l'exercice:

Adresse de courrier électronique:

pour soumettre vos réponses au professeur.