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Le subjonctif en anglais : I suggest that he be..., It's essential that

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Le subjonctif anglais est rare, mais il existe dans un style soutenu. Sa forme est très simple : c'est la base verbale, sans -s à la 3ᵉ personne, et be pour le verbe être, quelle que soit la personne.

Après les verbes d'ordre, de demande ou de conseil

The teacher suggested that he revise more. / They insisted that she be present.
Le professeur a suggéré qu'il révise davantage. / Ils ont insisté pour qu'elle soit présente.

Verbes concernés : suggest, recommend, insist, demand, require, propose, ask.

Après certains adjectifs

It's essential that every student have a laptop. / It's important that he not be late.
Il est essentiel que chaque élève ait un ordinateur. / Il est important qu'il ne soit pas en retard.

Adjectifs concernés : essential, important, vital, necessary, crucial. La négation se met simplement avant le verbe : that he not be.

Les alternatives

En anglais britannique courant, on préfère souvent should : I suggest that he should revise, ou une autre construction : I suggest revising. Mais I suggest him to revise est faux.

Les expressions figées

En anglaisEn français
God save the King!Vive le roi ! (Que Dieu protège le roi)
So be it.Ainsi soit-il. / Soit.
Long live the Queen!Longue vie à la reine !
Be that as it may, ...Quoi qu'il en soit, ...
If need be, ...Si besoin est, ...

Mise en situation : une réunion de délégués

Principal : The parents demand that the canteen be open earlier.
Les parents exigent que la cantine ouvre plus tôt.
Clara : We also suggest that every class have a delegate on the committee.
Nous suggérons aussi que chaque classe ait un délégué au comité.
Principal : It's essential that students be involved, I agree.
Il est essentiel que les élèves soient impliqués, je suis d'accord.
Clara : Then we recommend that the next meeting take place in May.
Alors nous recommandons que la prochaine réunion ait lieu en mai.

À retenir

  • Subjonctif = base verbale (sans -s), be pour être : that he be, that she go.
  • Après suggest, recommend, insist, demand + that ; après it's essential / important / vital that.
  • Alternative : that he should... ou suggest + -ing (jamais suggest him to).
  • God save the King, so be it, if need be.

Exercice 1 : Le subjonctif anglais : exercice 1 (QCM)

  1. The doctor recommended that he ___ more exercise.
    1. take
    2. takes
    3. took
  2. It's essential that she ___ on time.
    1. be
    2. was
    3. is
  3. They insisted that I ___ with them.
    1. to stay
    2. stay
    3. stayed
  4. « Je suggère qu'il révise. »
    1. I suggest that he revises of.
    2. I suggest him to revise.
    3. I suggest that he revise.
  5. It's important that he ___ late.
    1. isn't
    2. doesn't be
    3. not be
  6. Quelle phrase est fausse ?
    1. I suggest you to come.
    2. I suggest coming.
    3. I suggest that you come.
  7. « Ainsi soit-il. »
    1. So is it.
    2. So it be.
    3. So be it.
  8. The law requires that every driver ___ insured.
    1. are
    2. is being
    3. be
  9. « Si besoin est »
    1. If need is
    2. If it needs be of
    3. If need be
  10. Alternative britannique courante :
    1. I suggest that he would leave.
    2. I suggest him leaving to.
    3. I suggest that he should leave.

Exercice 2 : Le subjonctif anglais : exercice 2 (à compléter)

  1. I suggest that she .......................... to the doctor. (go)
  2. It's vital that everyone .......................... informed. (être)
  3. The teacher insisted that he .......................... . (s'excuser)
  4. We recommend that you .......................... in advance. (réserver)
  5. It's important that she .......................... be disturbed. (ne... pas)
  6. They demanded that the shop .......................... the money. (rembourser)
  7. I suggest .......................... together. (réviser, avec -ing)
  8. So .......................... it. (ainsi soit-il)
  9. God .......................... the King!
  10. It's essential that he .......................... a passport. (avoir)

Exercice 3 : Le subjonctif anglais : mise en situation

  1. Tu proposes formellement que la réunion ait lieu lundi.
    1. I suggest that the meeting be held on Monday.
    2. I suggest the meeting to be held on Monday.
    3. I suggest that the meeting is hold on Monday.
  2. Tu écris qu'il est essentiel que chaque élève ait accès à Internet.
    1. It's essential that every student has to access Internet.
    2. It's essential every student having access.
    3. It's essential that every student have access to the Internet.
  3. Tu racontes que le médecin a recommandé que ton père arrête de fumer.
    1. The doctor recommended my dad to stopping smoking.
    2. The doctor recommended that my dad stops to smoke.
    3. The doctor recommended that my dad stop smoking.
  4. Tu corriges ton ami qui a écrit « I suggest him to come ».
    1. I suggest that he come.
    2. I suggest he to come.
    3. I suggest him coming to.
  5. Tu dis qu'il est important qu'il ne soit pas dérangé.
    1. It's important that he isn't be disturbed.
    2. It's important he doesn't be disturbed.
    3. It's important that he not be disturbed.
  6. Les élèves exigent que le règlement change.
    1. The students demand the rules to be change.
    2. The students demand that the rules are change.
    3. The students demand that the rules be changed.
  7. Tu proposes simplement de réviser ensemble.
    1. I suggest us to revise together.
    2. I suggest revising together.
    3. I suggest to revise together.
  8. Tu acceptes une décision à contrecœur : « Soit ».
    1. So be it.
    2. So it is be.
    3. Be it so of.
  9. Tu dis : si besoin est, tu appelleras un taxi.
    1. If need is, I'll call a taxi.
    2. If it needs, I'll call a taxi.
    3. If need be, I'll call a taxi.
  10. Tu écris : « Quoi qu'il en soit, nous devons agir ».
    1. Be that as it may, we must act.
    2. Whatever it is of, we must act.
    3. Be it as it is, we must to act.

Corrigé

Exercice 1

1. a) take · 2. a) be · 3. b) stay · 4. c) I suggest that he revise. · 5. c) not be · 6. a) I suggest you to come. · 7. c) So be it. · 8. c) be · 9. c) If need be · 10. c) I suggest that he should leave.

Exercice 2

1. go · 2. be · 3. apologise · 4. book · 5. not · 6. refund · 7. revising · 8. be · 9. save · 10. have

Exercice 3

1. a) I suggest that the meeting be held on Monday. · 2. c) It's essential that every student have access to the Internet. · 3. c) The doctor recommended that my dad stop smoking. · 4. a) I suggest that he come. · 5. c) It's important that he not be disturbed. · 6. c) The students demand that the rules be changed. · 7. b) I suggest revising together. · 8. a) So be it. · 9. c) If need be, I'll call a taxi. · 10. a) Be that as it may, we must act.