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French grammar - Superlative and the subjunctive

Superlative and the subjunctive

When a superlative is used as a conjunction (with que) the subordinate clause can be in the subjunctive mood.

Only when the speaker is not certain that the fact is actually 'the best' or 'the last' etc. (when the word 'probably' can be injected) then the subjunctive should be used.

And if the speaker is certain of the fact then the indicative mood should be used.

The superlatives conjunctions include le meilleur que ('the best that'), le pire que ('the worst that'), le plusque ('the most..that'), etc.

Also limiting adjectives like le premier que ('the first that'); le dernier que ('the last that'); le seul que ('the only that'); l'unique que ('the only that') etc.

Examples:
Ce garçon est le plus grand que j'aie vu.
This boy is (probably) the tallest I have seen.
Ce livre est le pire que j'aie lu.
This book is (probably) the worst I have read.
C'est la meilleure idée que tu aies jamais eue !
It's the best idea you (familiar, female) have ever had!
Julie est la seule femme que je connaisse ici.
Julie is (probably) the only woman I know here.
C'est probablement la dernière lettre d'amour que je lui aie écrite.
This is probably the last love letter I wrote to her.
C'est l'homme le plus intelligent que je connaisse.
He's (probably) the smartest man I know.
Elle est la seule personne qui vienne qui est célibataire.
She is (probably) the only person who comes who is single.
C'est le meilleur livre français que j'aie jamais lu.
This is (probably) the best French book I have ever read.
C'est le meilleur casse-croûte qui se vende sur le marché.
It is (probably) the best snack that is sold in the market.
C'est le dernier bus que tu puisses prendre à la gare.
This is (probably) the last bus you (familiar) can take from the station.
Pierre est le meilleur joueur que j'aie jamais vu.
Pierre is (probably) the best player I have ever seen.
Ce sont les enfants les plus bruyants que je connaisse.
They are (probably) the loudest kids I know.
Nous avons acheté le vélo le moins cher que nous ayons pu trouver.
We bought the cheapest bike we could find.
C'est le livre le plus intéressant sur ce sujet que j'aie pu trouver.
This is the most interesting book on this subject that I have been able to find.
C'est le dernier conseil qu'il m'ait donné.
This is (probably) the last piece of advice he gave me.
C'est le seul bateau qui soit arrivé.
It is (probably) the only boat that has arrived.
Elle est la seule personne qui puisse nous aider maintenant.
She's (probably) the only person who can help us now.