ACADEMIE FRANCAISE

The ACADEMIE FRANCAISE is the esteemed organization, established in 1635, which is responsible for the all matters regarding proper usage of the French language.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acad%C3%A9mie_Fran%C3%A7aise

Académie Française - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org

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Years ago, when studying in France, I remember seeing a sign on a university classroom door:

"Veuillez vérifier que la porte est fermée."

Somebody had crossed out "est" and replaced it with "soit."

Somebody else had crossed out "soit" and replaced it with "est."

Etc.

In the years since, I have used this an example in my classes of how the subjunctive can be messy, subjective, and fascinating.

I was under the impression that the indicative was the correct choice...

But I decided, after presenting this example to a class on Tuesday, to check with the ACADEMIE FRANCAISE.  I used this as an opportunity to encourage my students to avail themselves of resources on the AF website themselves.

Based on the response I received today, I stand corrected.

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D.749 Correction de phrase

Service du Dictionnaire (Academie française) <dictionnaire@academie-francaise.fr>

​Brian Gordon Kennelly

​Monsieur,

On emploie ordinairement l’indicatif après vérifier que pour une action qui a déjà été réalisée et le subjonctif pour une action à venir.

Cordialement,

P.V.

Service du Dictionnaire