when to use subj présent and subj passé while using jusqu'a ce que

Dona c.A1Kwiziq community member

when to use subj présent and subj passé while using jusqu'a ce que

hi,

when to use subj présent and subj passé while using jusqu'a ce que ?

can you explain clearly in what situation they must be used?

sorry i could not understand why to use subjonctif présent in certain case and passé in another cases?

thankyou in advance

Dona

Asked 4 years ago
CélineNative French expert teacher in KwiziqCorrect answer

Bonjour Dona, 

It's true. Understanding the use of the subjunctive is tricky. 

If we look at the example of 'kissing' - 'embrassés', the difference is that for the Subjonctif présent, the main clause action (kissing - 'embrassés') has continued until exactly to the point that the person’s wife has arrived (second action), e.g ‘she has opened the door and they have stopped instantly’ whereas for the Subjonctif Passé the main clause action ('kissing' - 'embrassés') has continued until after the wife has arrived, e.g ‘she has opened the door but they haven’t realised and kept kissing for an indefinite period of time’

The main clause action will go on until the action after jusqu’à ce que happens:

Nous nous sommes embrassés (main clause action)

         jusqu’à ce que sa femme arrive → they stopped instantly

the main clause action will go on until the action has happened and stopped:

Nous nous sommes embrassés (main clause action)

         jusqu’à ce que sa femme soit arrivée → they carried on kissing for a bit

I hope this is helpful. 

Bonne journée!

when to use subj présent and subj passé while using jusqu'a ce que

hi,

when to use subj présent and subj passé while using jusqu'a ce que ?

can you explain clearly in what situation they must be used?

sorry i could not understand why to use subjonctif présent in certain case and passé in another cases?

thankyou in advance

Dona

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