Impersonal expressions with the subjunctive

What are impersonal expressions with the subjunctive?

Impersonal expressions are phrases that comment on actions or situations without naming a specific grammatical subject. In Spanish they often begin with "es + adjective" (es importante, es probable, es una lástima) or with impersonal constructions like "hace falta" or "conviene". When these expressions express subjectivity — feelings, judgments, uncertainty, necessity, possibility or advice — the subordinate clause that follows is usually introduced with que + the subjunctive.

Examples:
- Es importante que estudies. (It's important that you study.)
- Es una lástima que no puedas venir. (It's a pity that you can't come.)
- Es posible que llueva mañana. (It may rain tomorrow.)

Compare with English: English often uses "It is important that..." and may or may not use a special verb form. Spanish requires the subjunctive when the clause is non-factual or subjective.

When do I use the subjunctive after impersonal expressions?

Use the subjunctive when the impersonal expression expresses subjectivity (wish, emotion, judgment, necessity, doubt, possibility).

- Necessity/obligation: Es necesario que, hace falta que, es imprescindible que.
- Es necesario que llames al médico. (You need to call the doctor.)

- Emotion / reaction / evaluation: Es bueno que, es malo que, es sorprendente que, es una lástima que.
- Es sorprendente que hayan terminado tan pronto. (It's surprising they've finished so quickly.)

- Doubt / possibility / probability: Es posible que, es probable que, es dudoso que, es improbable que.
- Es probable que vengan más tarde. (They will probably come later.)

- Advice / recommendation: Es mejor que, conviene que, es preferible que.
- Es mejor que no fumes aquí. (It's better that you don't smoke here.)

Use the indicative when the impersonal expression states a fact or certainty.

When the main idea is presented as a fact or certain truth, Spanish uses the indicative, not the subjunctive. Common impersonal expressions that usually take the indicative (affirmative) are: es cierto que, es verdad que, está claro que, es evidente que.

- Es cierto que Ana vive en Madrid. (It's true that Ana lives in Madrid.) — indicative
- No es cierto que Ana viva en Madrid. (It's not true that Ana lives in Madrid.) — subjunctive after negation

Note the contrast: the presence of negation or doubt often flips the mood to subjunctive.

Use the infinitive (no que + subjunctive) when there is no change of subject or you want a general statement.

- Es importante estudiar para el examen. (It's important to study for the exam.) — general advice, infinitive
- Es importante que estudies para el examen. (It's important that you study for the exam.) — directed at a specific person, subjunctive

How do I form the subjunctive in these cases?

Present subjunctive — formation

1. Take the present indicative first-person singular (yo): hablo, como, vivo.
2. Drop the -o: habl-, com-, viv-.
3. Add the present-subjunctive endings:
- For -ar verbs: e, es, e, emos, éis, en (hablar → hable, hables, hable, hablemos, habléis, hablen)
- For -er/-ir verbs: a, as, a, amos, áis, an (comer → coma, comas; vivir → viva, vivas)

Irregular common verbs (present subjunctive):
- ser → sea, seas, sea, seamos, seáis, sean
- estar → esté, estés, esté, estemos, estéis, estén
- ir → vaya, vayas, vaya, vayamos, vayáis, vayan
- dar → dé, des, dé, demos, deis, den
- saber → sepa, sepas, sepa, sepamos, sepáis, sepan
- haber → haya, hayas, haya, hayamos, hayáis, hayan
- ver → vea, veas, vea, veamos, veáis, vean

Examples with impersonal expressions:
- Es bueno que seas puntual. (It's good that you are punctual.)
- Es necesario que estemos listos. (It's necessary that we be ready.)
- Es posible que haya problemas. (There may be problems.)

Present perfect subjunctive

Formed with haya + past participle: haya hablado, hayas comido, haya vivido.
Use it when the subordinate action is completed relative to the present.
- Es bueno que hayas venido. (It's good that you have come.)
- Es sorprendente que hayan terminado tan pronto. (It's surprising that they have finished so soon.)

Imperfect subjunctive

Two accepted sets of endings (-ra and -se):
- hablar → hablara / hablase, hablaras / hablases, hablara / hablase, habláramos / hablásemos, hablarais / hablaseis, hablaran / hablasen
- comer → comiera / comiese, comieras / comieses, etc.

Use the imperfect subjunctive when the impersonal expression is in the past or when the meaning is hypothetical in the past:
- Era necesario que te fueras. (It was necessary that you leave.)
- Fue una lástima que no vinieras a la fiesta. (It was a pity that you didn't come to the party.)

Pluperfect (past perfect) subjunctive

Formed with hubiera/hubiese + past participle; used for counterfactual or completed actions before another past time:
- Hubiera sido mejor que lo hubieras dicho antes. (It would have been better if you had said it earlier.)
- Era preferible que hubiéramos salido más temprano. (It was preferable that we had left earlier.)

Common impersonal expressions that usually take the subjunctive

Below is a comprehensive list with sample sentences. These expressions commonly introduce a subordinate clause with que + subjunctive.

Necessity / obligation:
- es necesario que — Es necesario que firmes aquí. (It is necessary that you sign here.)
- es preciso que — Es preciso que los documentos estén listos. (It is necessary/precise that the documents be ready.)
- hace falta que — Hace falta que llames a tu madre. (You need to call your mother.)
- es imprescindible que — Es imprescindible que traigas tu pasaporte. (It's essential that you bring your passport.)

Emotion / reaction / judgment:
- es bueno que — Es bueno que descanses. (It's good that you rest.)
- es malo que — Es malo que fumes. (It's bad that you smoke.)
- es una lástima que — Es una lástima que no puedas venir. (It's a shame you can't come.)
- es triste que — Es triste que hayan perdido la casa. (It's sad that they lost the house.)
- es sorprendente que — Es sorprendente que lo haya dicho. (It's surprising that he/she said it.)

Possibility / doubt / probability:
- es posible que — Es posible que lleguen tarde. (It's possible they will arrive late.)
- es probable que — Es probable que haya tráfico. (It's likely there is traffic.)
- es imposible que — Es imposible que eso sea verdad. (It's impossible for that to be true.)
- es dudoso que — Es dudoso que lo sepan. (It's doubtful they know it.)

Advice / recommendation / preference:
- es mejor que — Es mejor que no lo comentes ahora. (It's better that you don't mention it now.)
- es preferible que — Es preferible que empieces mañana. (It's preferable that you start tomorrow.)
- conviene que / es conveniente que — Conviene que consultes con un experto. (It's advisable that you consult an expert.)

Other evaluative expressions:
- es extraño / es raro que — Es raro que no lo hayas visto. (It's strange you haven't seen it.)
- es normal que — Es normal que estés nervioso. (It's normal that you're nervous.)
- es increíble que — Es increíble que exista tanta desigualdad. (It's unbelievable that so much inequality exists.)

When impersonal expressions take the indicative instead

Some impersonal expressions state a fact or present something as certain; they usually use the indicative in affirmative contexts. Common ones:
- es cierto que — Es cierto que Marta vive en Madrid. (It's true that Marta lives in Madrid.)
- es verdad que — Es verdad que ellos llegaron ayer. (It's true that they arrived yesterday.)
- está claro que / es evidente que / es obvio que — Está claro que necesitamos más tiempo. (It's clear that we need more time.)

But if you negate or question these expressions, the subordinate clause often needs the subjunctive:
- No es cierto que Marta viva en Madrid. (It's not true that Marta lives in Madrid.)
- No parece que vayan a terminar pronto. (It doesn't seem that they are going to finish soon.)

Minimal contrasts:
- Es cierto que viene. (It is certain that he/she is coming.) — indicative
- No es cierto que venga. (It is not certain/it is not true that he/she is coming.) — subjunctive

Examples by tense: present, past, perfect, pluperfect

Present subjunctive (main clause refers to present or future):
- Es importante que yo estudie para el examen. (It's important that I study for the exam.)
- Es necesario que tú llegues a las nueve. (It's necessary that you arrive at nine.)
- Es probable que ellos terminen hoy. (They will probably finish today.)

Present perfect subjunctive (action completed relative to now):
- Es bueno que hayas llamado. (It's good that you have called.)
- Es extraño que no hayan contestado. (It's strange they haven't answered.)

Imperfect subjunctive (main clause in the past or past hypothetical):
- Era necesario que estudiaras más. (It was necessary that you studied more.)
- Fue una lástima que no vinieras a la boda. (It was a pity you didn't come to the wedding.)

Pluperfect subjunctive (counterfactual past / regret about a past action):
- Hubiera sido mejor que lo hubieras dicho antes. (It would have been better if you had said it earlier.)
- Era una pena que no hubiéramos podido ayudar. (It was a pity we hadn't been able to help.)

Common mistakes and tips to avoid them

- Mistake: Using the indicative instead of the subjunctive after an impersonal expression that expresses subjectivity.
- Wrong: Es necesario que él viene.
- Correct: Es necesario que él venga.

- Mistake: Using "que + infinitive" incorrectly when the subject of both clauses is different.
- Wrong: Es importante que estudiar para el examen.
- Correct: Es importante estudiar. (general) or Es importante que estudies. (directed at you)

- Mistake: Not shifting tense when the main clause is past.
- Wrong: Era necesario que ellos estudien.
- Correct: Era necesario que ellos estudiaran.

- Mistake: Forgetting the difference between affirmative and negative impersonal expressions.
- Wrong: Es cierto que venga.
- Correct: Es cierto que viene. / No es cierto que venga.

Tips:
- Ask: Does the main clause present a fact (use indicative) or an opinion/necessity/doubt (use subjunctive)?
- If there is no explicit subject change and the statement is general, use the infinitive instead of que + subjunctive.
- Match tenses: present main clause → present or present-perfect subjunctive; past main clause → imperfect or pluperfect subjunctive.
- Memorize the most common impersonal expressions and practice the minimal contrast pairs (es cierto que / no es cierto que; parece que / no parece que).

Quick reference: common impersonal expressions

Often take the subjunctive (typical):
- es necesario que — Es necesario que firmes. (It's necessary that you sign.)
- es importante que — Es importante que llegues a tiempo. (It's important that you arrive on time.)
- es posible que — Es posible que llueva. (It may rain.)
- es probable que — Es probable que salga tarde. (He/she will probably leave late.)
- es una lástima que — Es una lástima que no puedas venir. (It's a pity you can't come.)
- es bueno / es malo que — Es bueno que te cuides. / Es malo que fumes. (It's good that you take care of yourself. / It's bad that you smoke.)

Often take the indicative (affirmative, factual):
- es cierto que — Es cierto que llegó ayer. (It's true that he/she arrived yesterday.)
- es verdad que — Es verdad que lo dijo. (It's true that he/she said it.)
- está claro que / es evidente que — Está claro que hay un problema. (It's clear that there is a problem.)

Impersonal constructions with infinitive (no que + subjunctive when general):
- Es importante comer sano. (It's important to eat healthily.)
- Hay que estudiar para aprobar. (One must study to pass.)

Other impersonal uses of the subjunctive (wishes):
- ¡Que tengas un buen día! (Have a good day! / May you have a good day!)
- ¡Que viva la música! (Long live music!)

Glossary

- Impersonal expression: A phrase that does not refer to a specific grammatical subject (e.g., "es importante").
- Subjunctive (subjuntivo): A verb mood used to express doubt, desire, emotion, possibility, or non-factual situations.
- Indicative (indicativo): A verb mood used to express facts or statements presented as true.
- Infinitive: The base form of the verb (estudiar, comer, vivir) often used after impersonal expressions for general statements.
- Present perfect subjunctive: haya + past participle, used for completed actions related to the present.
- Imperfect / pluperfect subjunctive: past subjunctive forms used when the main clause is in the past or to express counterfactuals.

Short summary

- Use subjunctive after impersonal expressions that communicate subjectivity (necessity, emotion, doubt, possibility, advice).
- Use indicative when the impersonal expression states a factual, certain idea in the affirmative.
- Use the infinitive when there is no change of subject and you want to make a general statement.
- Choose the correct subjunctive tense (present, perfect, imperfect, pluperfect) to match the time frame.

If you remember these simple checks — fact vs. opinion/uncertainty, subject change, and correct tense — you'll be able to choose the correct mood after most impersonal expressions.