Subjonctif for something that happened?

Question

I had the following question in my quiz: Je ne suis pas content que Maurice ________ sa visite. I'm not happy that Maurice cancelled his visit. (HINT: Use le Subjonctif Passé de ''annuler'')" Why is the Subjonctif Passé used here when it seems that Maurice definitely cancelled the visit?

Accepted Answer

Hi Eleonora,
"je ne suis pas content que Maurice ait annulé sa visite"
Do you not agree that "ait annulé" expresses a completed action?
I believe that it does express that "cancelled the visit" is a completed action.
Hope this helps?
Jim

Answer

“Être content (que) needs the subjunctive; the tense is determined by it being a completed action as Jim notes. https://www.lawlessfrench.com/subjunctivisor/etre-content/