français · B2 · verb · 4 minutes
Venir in the present subjunctive
Use vienn- except in nous and vous after a trigger of need, doubt, or emotion.
Understand the choice
The subjunctive does not mean uncertainty by itself; it appears because the main construction frames the subordinate action as required, desired, doubted, or emotionally evaluated. Il faut que is a high-frequency trigger.
Core rule: Venir uses vienn- for je/tu/il/ils and ven- for nous/vous in the present subjunctive.
Notice it in context
Il faut que tu viennes avant le début de la réunion.
You must come before the meeting starts.
Faut que triggers the mood; viennes agrees with tu; avant + noun sets the deadline.
Je doute qu’ils viennent ce soir.
I doubt that they will come tonight.
Douter que triggers subjunctive viennent.
Nous sommes ravis que vous veniez avec nous.
We are delighted that you are coming with us.
Emotion trigger sommes ravis que selects veniez.
What to remember
- The present indicative ils viennent and subjunctive qu’ils viennent have the same form.
- Venions and veniez have one n because they use the ven- stem.
Common trap: Do not put the infinitive after a changed subject: il faut que tu viennes, not il faut que tu venir.