French Imperfect Subjunctive: Usage and Contemporary Application

The imperfect subjunctive is a fascinating but somewhat antiquated grammatical form in modern French. While it holds a certain charm and precision, its usage is limited to specific contexts, primarily in literature and rare conversational settings. This article explores the reasons why French speakers rarely use this tense and who might still find it helpful in their communications.

Is It Common in Everyday Speech?

Unquestionably, the imperfect subjunctive is not a staple of contemporary French speech. Most French speakers, even those who are well-versed in the language, will only encounter it in literature or when encountering educated, upscale speech. When it does appear in everyday conversations, it typically employs the third-person singular form. An example heard on a cultural radio station, France Culture, illustrates this usage: "Sa femme aurait voulu qu'il chantat".

Written Usage and Literary Context

The imperfect subjunctive is more commonly found in written works, especially those by authors who pursue refined literary styles. These written forms, however, are a niche component of modern French literature and are not the norm. Conjugations like "que je chantasse", "tu chantasses", "nous chantassions", "vous chantassiez", and "ils chantassent" can indeed sound peculiar to modern ears. Even in literary works, its usage is relatively rare.

Is It Used in Modern Conversations?

Surprisingly, even in formal or advanced French exercises, the imperfect subjunctive is not frequently used. A 23-year-old French speaker, like the author, has never used it in everyday conversation. The conjugation of simple verbs such as "venir" (to come) can be a challenge, even for native speakers. Instead, the present subjunctive is often employed, which is still quite challenging for non-native speakers.

There may be instances where the imperfect subjunctive is used humorously or in well-known sayings, such as "encore et il fallu que je le susse." However, for the vast majority of French speakers, its application in conversational settings is limited and unusual.

Its Role in Contemporary French

The imperfect subjunctive is almost exclusively used in literary works, particularly in those known for their sophisticated language. Authors like Amélie Nothomb are known to favor this tense in their works. Its introduction in conversational contexts, while rare, can be found in expressions like "qui lett cru," a combination of "lettre" (letter) and "crue" (raw), meaning "raw letter" or an emotional and genuine expression of thoughts.

Using the imperfect subjunctive can make one sound overly formal or even pretentious. It can make speech sound as if the speaker is dressed in outdated attire, like wearing a top hat and monocle. Phrases like "que je susse" (know) might sound particularly awkward to modern ears, adding to the sense of anachronism.

Conclusion

In conclusion, while the imperfect subjunctive has historical and literary importance in French, its practical use in everyday speech is minimal. Its usage is primarily confined to educational settings, literary works, and rare, elevated conversational contexts. For most French speakers, the present subjunctive is the preferred choice for expressing the subjunctive mood.