suive

Suive is a form of the French verb suivre, meaning to follow. In modern French, suive appears as a present subjunctive form used in subordinate clauses. Specifically, the present subjunctive forms that include suive are the 1st person singular and the 3rd person singular: je suive and il suive (in phrases introduced by que or other subjunctive-necessitating expressions). The identical spelling also appears in qu’il suive, as in “qu’il suive le guide.” The other present subjunctive forms are suives, suives, suivions, suiviez, et suivent.

Etymology and origin trace suive to suivre, which derives from the Latin sequi (to follow). The development passes through Old French and Middle French, with the subjunctive mood retained in modern French grammar for certain subordinate clauses.

Usage and context: suive is chiefly encountered within sentences that require the subjunctive mood, such as expressions of necessity, doubt, desire, or obligation. It is not used as an independent lexical item outside of these grammatical constructions. For example: Il faut que je suive les instructions (It is necessary that I follow the instructions). Qu’il suive le chemin (That he follow the path) illustrates its appearance in a subordinate clause.

Relation to related forms: suive is related to other forms of suivre, including the present indicative suivi (past participle) and suivre’s other conjugations. It is distinct from the participles supravid or suivant in meaning and function.

See also: suivre, suivi, suivant, subjonctif.