Advanced French Subjunctive Exercises C2

C2 level requires mastery of subjunctive constructions that go well beyond B1-B2. Rare concessive phrases, literary uses and highly formal registers are typical of the DALF C2. This exercise prepares you for these advanced contexts.

Advanced concessive phrases with the subjunctive

At C2 level you will master: quoi que (whatever — + subjunctive), pour peu que (provided that, as long as), si tant est que (if indeed, assuming that), à moins que (unless — + subjunctive + expletive "ne" in formal register), en admettant que, à supposer que. These expressions are rare at B1-B2 but essential at C2.

The subjunctive in literary and administrative registers

In literary and official texts, the subjonctif imparfait (que je parlasse, qu'il fût) still occasionally appears, although it is considered archaic. At C2 you must recognise it even if you don't actively produce it. There is also the subjonctif plus-que-parfait: "qu'il eût fait" (that he had done).

Strategies for C2 written production

The DALF C2 written production task (a note de synthèse or a long essai) requires: subjonctif passé with verbs of evaluation ("il est regrettable que cette tendance n'ait pas été anticipée"), advanced concessive phrases ("pour peu que des mesures soient prises"), and avoiding redundant structures. Formal rigour and precision are the main criteria.

Practice exercises