88 Sois prudent

quoi que, qui que, quel que, où que

These expressions—quoi que, qui que, quel que, où que—are all subordinating conjunctions used in subjunctive clauses in French. They express uncertainty, generality, or opposition.

1. Quoi que (Whatever, No matter what)

Used to introduce an idea of opposition or concession, meaning “whatever” or “no matter what.”
🔹 Structure: Quoi que + subjunctive

✅ Examples:

• Quoi que tu fasses, je te soutiendrai.
  (Whatever you do, I will support you.)
• Quoi qu’il dise, elle ne le croira pas.
  (No matter what he says, she won’t believe him.)

⚠ “Quoi que” vs. “Quoique”

• “Quoi que” (two words) = “whatever” → always followed by the subjunctive.
• “Quoique” (one word) = “although” → interchangeable with “bien que” and followed by the subjunctive.
  • Ex: Quoique ce soit difficile, je vais essayer. (Although it is difficult, I will try.)

2. Qui que (Whoever, No matter who)

Indicates a generality about people, meaning “whoever” or “no matter who.”
🔹 Structure: Qui que + subjunctive

✅ Examples:

• Qui que tu sois, tu dois respecter les règles.
  (Whoever you are, you must respect the rules.)
• Qui que nous rencontrions, nous devons rester polis.
  (No matter who we meet, we must remain polite.)

3. Quel que (Whatever, No matter which)

Used to express an unspecified choice, always followed by a verb in the subjunctive.
🔹 Structure: Quel que + être (subjunctive) + noun

✅ Examples:

• Quel que soit ton problème, je peux t’aider.
  (Whatever your problem is, I can help you.)
• Quelles que soient les difficultés, nous continuerons.
  (No matter what the difficulties are, we will continue.)

⚠ Agreement with “quel”
“Quel” must agree with the noun it modifies:

• Quel que soit le prix… (whatever the price is…)
• Quelle que soit la raison… (whatever the reason is…)
• Quels que soient les résultats… (whatever the results are…)
• Quelles que soient tes intentions… (whatever your intentions are…)

4. Où que (Wherever, No matter where)

Used to indicate an unspecified location, meaning “wherever” or “no matter where.”
🔹 Structure: Où que + subjunctive

✅ Examples:

• Où que tu ailles, je te suivrai.
  (Wherever you go, I will follow you.)
• Où que nous soyons, il faut rester prudents.
  (Wherever we are, we must be careful.)

Summary Table

These expressions are mostly used in formal or written French, though they can also be found in spoken French in more structured speech.

subjunctive with superlatives

The subjunctive is often used in relative clauses when they contain superlatives or expressions of uniqueness, especially when there’s an element of subjectivity, doubt, or emotion.

📌 1. Subjunctive with Superlatives

When a superlative (e.g., le plus, le moins, le meilleur, le pire, le seul, l’unique) is used in a relative clause, the subjunctive is often required if the statement expresses a subjective opinion rather than an objective fact.

✅ Examples

1. C’est la meilleure idée que je puisse imaginer.
   (This is the best idea that I can imagine.)
   → The speaker expresses a subjective opinion, so “puisse” (subjunctive of pouvoir) is used.

2. C’est le pire film que j’aie jamais vu.
   (This is the worst movie that I have ever seen.)
   → The speaker is expressing a subjective judgment, so “aie” (subjunctive of avoir) is used.

3. C’est la seule solution qui soit possible.
   (This is the only solution that is possible.)
   → The phrase “la seule solution” implies uniqueness, triggering the subjunctive (soit from être).

📌 2. Subjunctive with Expressions of Uniqueness or Rarity

When the relative clause contains expressions that indicate uniqueness, rarity, or exclusivity, the subjunctive is used.

✅ Examples

1. C’est le seul professeur qui comprenne mes difficultés.
   (He is the only teacher who understands my difficulties.)
   → Since “le seul professeur” expresses uniqueness, the subjunctive comprenne (from comprendre) is used.

2. C’est la première fois que je voie un tel paysage.
   (This is the first time I have seen such a landscape.)
   → “La première fois que” suggests a unique event, so voie (subjunctive of voir) is used.

3. Il n’y a personne qui puisse m’aider.
   (There is no one who can help me.)
   → “Il n’y a personne” expresses a general negation/rarity, requiring the subjunctive puisse.

📝 Key Rule Summary

Use the subjunctive in a relative clause when: ✅ The clause includes a superlative and expresses a subjective judgment.
✅ The noun is unique, first, last, or only one of its kind.
✅ The statement implies doubt, subjectivity, or emotion rather than an objective fact.

📔 Examples from the text

• C’est clair, et c’est le seul renseignement plus ou moins fiable que nous ayons reçu jusqu’à présent, la meilleure piste que nous puissions suivre.
• Mais aussi, peut-être, le plus gros mensonge qui soit.
• C’est l’hiver le plus froid qu’on ait connu depuis longtemps.
• Tu es la seule personne qui puisse m’aider.
• Je suis l’unique personne qui connaisse notre indic.

imperative and subjunctive

The imperative form (l’impératif) of être is identical to its subjunctive form (subjonctif présent). This happens because the imperative is based on the subjunctive stem for irregular verbs like être.

📌 1. Present Subjunctive of “Être”

The subjunctive present conjugation of être is:

📌 2. Imperative Form of “Être”

The imperative (l’impératif) only exists in tu, nous, and vous forms.
For être, the forms are:

As you can see, these are exactly the same as the subjunctive forms for tu, nous, and vous!

📌 3. Why Is This the Case?

• The imperative is used to give commands or advice (e.g., Sois prudent ! – “Be careful!”).
• The subjunctive expresses doubt, desire, necessity, or emotion (e.g., Il faut que tu sois prudent. – “You must be careful.”).
• Since both the imperative and subjunctive express hypothetical or non-assertive situations, the forms of être ended up being the same in these cases.

✅ Examples

1. Subjunctive:

   • Il faut que tu sois à l’heure. (You must be on time.)
   • Je veux que vous soyez heureux. (I want you to be happy.)

2. Imperative:

   • Sois à l’heure ! (Be on time!)
   • Soyez heureux ! (Be happy!)

The meaning is different, but the forms are identical.

📌 4. Important Difference: No Subject in the Imperative

In the imperative, the subject is omitted, while in the subjunctive, it is always explicitly stated:

• (Imperative) Sois gentil ! (Be nice!) → No subject
• (Subjunctive) Il faut que tu sois gentil. (You must be nice.) → “tu” is required

Vocabulaire