Ils trouvent étrange que je choisisse

Question

I am not sure why the subjunctive is used here.  I understand that trouver takes indicative in the affirmative, but subjunctive if negative.  Here it is affirmative, so presumably the word étrange is causing the change in tense.  Perhaps because étrange has a negative connotation, or perhaps simply because it is an adjective, as in être étrange que ..

Accepted Answer

Excellent question i.l.,
The expression 'trouver étrange que' (to find it strange that) typically takes the subjunctive mood in French because it expresses a subjective judgment or opinion rather than an objective fact.

Je trouve étrange/bizarre qu'il ait dit ça = I find it strange that he did that
Elle  trouve surprenant qu'ils soient venus = She finds it surprising that they came

While many combinations of 'trouver + adjective + que' do indeed trigger the subjunctive, there are cases where the indicative is used. This typically happens when the adjective expresses a more factual or definitive judgment rather than uncertainty or subjectivity -

Je trouve évident que tu as raison = I find it obvious that you're right
Nous trouvons certain qu'ils viendront demain = We think it certain that they will come tomorrow
Ils trouvent normal que les médecins travaillent le weekend = They think it normal that doctors work at the weekend
Je trouve vrai que Paris est une belle ville = I find it true that Paris is a beautiful city
On trouve logique que les prix augmentent avec l'inflation = We find it logical that prices increase with inflation

Hope this helps!

Answer

i. I.

‘ Trouver étrange que ‘ behaves grammatically in the same way as ‘ trouver bizarre que ‘, ‘ trouver normal que ‘ and ‘ trouver juste que ‘ etc - requires the subjunctive.

https://www.lawlessfrench.com/subjunctivisor/trouver/

Answer

I think it's the adjective that makes the difference; trouver que just states that you think something is true, adding an adjective expresses a subjective opinion about it.