Does 'Il Est Évident' Need the Subjunctive?

The French expression il est évident / c'est évident means "it is obvious," and it may require the subjunctive, depending on whether it is used affirmatively, negatively or interrogatively. When used affirmatively, il est évident does not require the subjunctive. 

Example

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Does 'Il Est Nécessaire' Need the Subjunctive in French?

By ThoughtCo Team

Il est évident / C'est évident qu'il le fait.
It's obvious that he's doing it.

But when the phrase is structured in the negative or the interrogative—therefore expresses doubt or uncertainty—it calls for the subjunctive.

Examples

Il n'est pas évident / Ce n'est pas évident qu'il le fasse.
It's not obvious that he'll do it.

(Note: "It's not obvious that he'll do it" is not the same as "It's obvious that he'll not do it." The latter is an affirmative use of the term and would require the indicative, as a result.)

Est-il évident / Est-ce évident qu'il le fasse?
Is it obvious that he'll do it?