The French verb falloir is one of the most important and commonly used verbs in the French language. Whether you’re a beginner or an advanced learner, understanding how to use this impersonal verb correctly will significantly enhance your ability to express yourself fluently in French.
Mastering the usage of the French verb falloir can contribute to your overall comprehension and communication skills in the language. You can download a PDF of this lesson guide in my private French Grammar Library.
“Falloir” holds a unique place in French grammar. Firstly, it can only be used in the third-person singular form, “il faut.” This impersonal construction removes the need for a specific subject. Consequently, it becomes a versatile and indispensable verb for various situations.
In this lesson, we will explore the different ways to use the French verb falloir in context. We will focus on two main structures: “il faut que” followed by the subjunctive and the usage of “il faut” with indirect object pronouns followed by infinitives. By the end of this lesson, you will have a solid grasp of these structures and be able to navigate the world of “falloir” with confidence.
“Il faut que” + Subjunctive: When using “il faut que,” we employ the subjunctive mood to express a necessity or obligation. This construction implies that an action is required, desired, or necessary. We will examine examples of how to form and use the subjunctive with “il faut que,” providing you with practical tools to communicate effectively.
Indirect Object Pronouns + Infinitives: Alternatively, we can avoid using the subjunctive by using indirect object pronouns with infinitives after “il faut.” This structure allows us to express the same necessity or obligation in a different way. We will explore this construction, understand the rules governing its usage, and practice it through various exercises.
| «FALLOIR» IL FAUT QUE REQUIRES THE SUBJUNCTIVE | IL FAUT QUE +SUBJECT +SUBJUNCTIVE MOOD | «FALLOIR» IL ______ FAUT THE SUBJUNCTIVE IS NOT NEEDED | IL _____ FAUT +INFINITIVE / NOUN + INDICATIVE MOOD |
| I NEED TO BE CAREFUL. | IL FAUT QUE JE SOIS PRUDENT(E). | I NEED TO BE CAREFUL. | IL ME FAUT ÊTRE PRUDENT(E). |
| YOU NEED TO CHOOSE A THEME. | IL FAUT QUE TU CHOISISSES UN THÈME. | YOU NEED TO CHOOSE A THEME. | IL TE FAUT CHOISIR UN THÈME. |
| HE/SHE NEEDS TO ANSWER THE PHONE. | IL FAUT QU’IL / QU’ELLE RÉPONDE AU TÉLÉPHONE. | HE/SHE NEEDS TO ANSWER THE PHONE. | IL LUI FAUT RÉPONDRE AU TÉLÉPHONE. |
| WE NEED TO TAKE THE TRAIN. | IL FAUT QUE NOUS PRENIONS LE TRAIN. | WE NEED TO TAKE THE TRAIN. | IL NOUS FAUT PRENDRE LE TRAIN. |
| YOU NEED TO GET YOUR AFFAIRS IN ORDER. | IL FAUT QUE VOUS METTIEZ VOS AFFAIRES EN ORDRE. | YOU NEED TO GET YOUR AFFAIRS IN ORDER. | IL VOUS FAUT METTRE VOS AFFAIRES EN ORDRE. |
| THEY NEED TO EXERCISE MORE. | IL FAUT QU’ILS / QU’ELLES FASSENT PLUS D’EXERCICE. | THEY NEED TO EXERCISE MORE. | IL LEUR FAUT FAIRE PLUS D’EXERCICE. |
