Indicative vs. subjunctive after expressions of time
Note: Many expressions with que are followed by the subjunctive, including: quoique, bien que, encore que, afin que, etc.
Je suis contente de te voir bien que tu sois en retard. I'm happy to see you even though you are late.
Je te le dis afin que tu t’en souviennes. I'm telling you so that you remember.
Je te le dis afin que tu t’en souviennes. I'm telling you so that you remember.
Note that expressions of time using que are always followed by the indicatif.
Elle a téléphoné pendant que j’étais sortie. She called while I was out.
Après que tu es parti, je me suis ennuyé. After you left, I got bored.
Il va faire la vaisselle une fois qu’il aura fini de faire le ménage. He'll do the dishes once he's done with the cleaning.
Après que tu es parti, je me suis ennuyé. After you left, I got bored.
Il va faire la vaisselle une fois qu’il aura fini de faire le ménage. He'll do the dishes once he's done with the cleaning.
Note these exceptional exceptions! Avant que, jusqu’à ce que and en attendant que are followed by the subjunctive.
Je vais lui présenter mes excuses avant qu’il ne me fasse des reproches. I'm going to apologize to him before he reproaches me
J’attendrai jusqu’à ce que tu sois parti. I'll wait until you leave (have left).
J’attendrai jusqu’à ce que tu sois parti. I'll wait until you leave (have left).
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