Subjunctive after avant que — identify and understand

Subjunctive after avant que: progressive explanation, topic-specific examples, guided exercises and a corrected assessment.

Duration: 25 minPrerequisites: subjonctif-pour-que-produirePass mark: 80%

1. Objective

By the end, you will identify and explain “Subjunctive after avant que” in new examples.

2. Discover

Compare: Pars avant qu’il ne pleuve.; Téléphone avant que je parte.; Finissons avant qu’il soit trop tard.; Réserve avant que les places soient prises.. Which clue helps you recognise subjonctif après avant que?

3. Understand

Study the pattern in the examples, then connect form and meaning before you answer.

Ferme la porte avant que le chat sorte.Appelle-moi avant que tu partes.Nous réservons avant que les places soient prises.Il sauvegarde le fichier avant que l’ordinateur s’éteigne.Je prépare le café avant que les invités arrivent.Ils rentrent avant qu’il fasse nuit.

Watch out

Start with the subject and time reference. Only then choose the tense or verb form: word-for-word translation often leads to the wrong tense.

4. Guided practice

5. Independent practice

6. Write / speak

Say what you want to mean first, then express it with “Subjunctive after avant que”. Read it again as if you were receiving it.

7. Check your learning

8. Remember

For subjonctif après avant que, identify the context first, then the form carrying the useful information. Always check your answer in a complete sentence.

Download worksheet (PDF)

9. Now I can…

I can recognise “Subjunctive after avant que” in a new example.
I can justify my choice and create an example.