Students aren’t expected to learn the subjunctive as a grammar point at GCSE — but you can still benefit from using it.
Learning ready-made chunks that already contain the subjunctive is a fantastic way to sound more sophisticated in speaking and writing, without needing to understand the structure itself. These phrases work beautifully as topic sentence starters and help boost spontaneity and range in exams.
Here are some simple, high-frequency expressions you can memorise and reuse across topics.
⭐ Opinion and viewpoint starters
These are very natural and easy to use in essays or speaking answers.
- Autant que je sache, c’est…
As far as I know, it is… - Bien que ce soit + adjectif, …
Although it is…
→ Bien que ce soit difficile… - Quoi que ce soit, …
Whatever it is… - Qui que ce soit, …
Whoever it is…
These work particularly well when you want to introduce an argument or show balance.
⭐ Giving solutions or expressing necessity
Very useful for problem-solving questions and topic sentences.
- Il faut que ce soit…
- Il est nécessaire que ce soit…
- Il est préférable que ce soit…
Example:
Il faut que ce soit plus écologique.
⭐ Expressing reactions or emotions
Helpful for developing personal responses.
- Je suis content(e) que ce soit…
- Je suis surpris(e) que ce soit…
- Je regrette que ce soit…
Current students have access to a longer list in my online resources (grammar section). How are you going to use the subjunctive? Write your sentence below!
