commencer at B2 — the subjunctive
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Before it starts, French wants the subjunctive.
Avant que ça commence
Avant que takes the subjunctive, and this verb meets it constantly: « avant que le film ne commence ». The optional ne here is the “expletive ne” — it carries no negative meaning at all, and dropping it is fine in speech.
That expletive ne confuses learners badly, because it looks like a negation and is not one. It appears after avant que, à moins que and de peur que, and it is optional everywhere.
💡 Focus at this level: Subjunctive & set phrases
👨🏫 How to use « commencer » at this level
1. « Avant que » + subjunctive. Always.
2. The « ne » after it means nothing. Not a negative.
3. « Après que » takes the indicative — the mirror trap.
Avant que le film ne commence.Before the film starts.
Il faut que tu commences maintenant.You need to start now.
Bien que ça commence mal, on continue.Although it’s starting badly, we’re going on.
Attends que ça commence.Wait until it starts.
🎮 Practise « commencer »
Play the free French games → · Back to the full « commencer » chart →
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