provoquions

Provoquions is a French verb form that functions as the present subjunctive conjugation for the first-person plural of the verb provoquer, meaning “to provoke.” The full present-subjunctive phrase is usually written as que nous provoquions, translating to “that we provoke.” The spelling provoquions is identical to the first-person plural imperfect indicative form we provoquions, which can create ambiguity without contextual cues.

In usage, the present subjunctive appears in subordinate clauses after expressions that require the subjunctive mood (such as il faut que, il est possible que, or verbs of desire, doubt, or emotion). Examples include: Il faut que nous provoquions une réaction (It is necessary that we provoke a reaction) and Je doute que nous provoquions une mauvaise impression (I doubt that we provoke a bad impression). In contemporary spoken French, the subjunctive is less frequent in everyday speech, and speakers may opt for indicative or other constructions in casual contexts.

Etymology and form: Provoquer derives from Latin provocare. The present-subjunctive endings for -er verbs yield que nous provoquions, que vous provoquiez, etc. The form exemplifies standard conjugation patterns for regular -er verbs, with the notable caveat that the same spelling corresponds to both the present subjunctive and the imperfect indicative in different syntactic contexts.

See also: French grammar, subjunctive mood, verb conjugation, provoquer.