Je veux que j'aie - French Mistake

Mistakes will always be made in French, and now you can learn from them.

Wrong: Je veux que j'aie assez de temps

Right: Je veux avoir assez de temps

Explanation: Many French expressions and verbs, such as vouloir (to want) and être content que (to be happy that), require the subjunctive. However, the subjunctive is only used when the two clauses have different subjects, as in je veux que tu aies assez de temps (I want you to have enough time) and je suis content qu'il soit là (I'm happy that he's here). When the two clauses have the same subject, you just use the second verb in the infinitive:

   "Je veux que j'aie assez de temps"
   > Je veux avoir assez de temps.
   I want to have enough time.

   "Je suis content que je sois là"
   > Je suis content d'être là.
   I'm happy to be here.

Related lessons:
   Subjunctive
   Infinitive
   Clauses