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13.6: The subjunctive with impersonal expressions

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    The subjunctive and impersonal expressions

    Impersonal expressions have two parts. In English we use the verbs to be and an adjective. In Spanish we use the verb es and an adjectiuve. Since many impersonal expressions express an wishing, emotion, doubt or negativity, the second verb will be conjugated in the subjunctive when the impersonal expression is followed by a que and a second subject. For example.

    Es bueno que estudiemos español. It is good that we study the subjunctive.

    Es importante que practiquemos el subjuntivo. It is important that we practice the subjunctive.

    Es necesario que hagamos la tarea. It is necessary that we do the homework.

    Es bueno hacer la tarea. It is good to do the homework.

    It is important to understand the impersional expressions because their meanings determine if we use the subjunctive, the indicative, or an infinitive. If there is no que and no second subject, we do not need to conjugate again and can use an infinitive. If the impersonal expression expresses wishing, emotion, doubt, or denial, we use the present subjunctive. If an impersonal expression does not express doubt, it is necessary to use the present indicative. For example

    Es dudoso que la clase sea aburrrida. It is doubtful that the class is boring. It is doubtful === > present subjunctive

    No es dudoso que la profesora es dedicada. It is not doubtful that the teacher is dedicated. It is not doubtful === > present indicative

    Es importante estudiar. It is important to study. No que, no second subject === > infinitive

    Some common impersonal expressions are

    Es agradable que It is nice that

    Es bueno que It is good that

    Es curioso que It is curious that

    Es dudoso que It is doubtful that

    Es esencial que It is essential that

    Es estupendo que It is great that

    Es fantástico que It is fantastic that

    Es importante que It is important that

    Es increíble que It is incredible that

    Es injusto que It is unfair that

    Es interesante que It is interesting that

    Es justo que It is fair that

    Es malo que It is bad that

    Es necesario que It is necessary that

    Es probable que It is probable that

    Es raro que It is strange that

    Es recomendable que It is recommended that

    Es una lástima que It is a shame that

    Es urgente que It is urgent that

    Es vergonzoso que It is embarassing that

    With practice, impersonal expressions can be fun and useful to use. So, let's practice.

    Prácticas.

    A. Complete each sentence with the appropriate form of the verb.

    1. Es necesario que la clase (practicar) _____________________ los verbos.

    2. Es increíble que Romeo (correr) ______________________ tan rápidamente.

    3. Es fantástico que ustedes (saber) _______________________el vocabulario.

    4. Es importante que yo (estudiar) _________________________ afuera de la clase.

    5. Es importante que tú (cuidarse) _________________________ .

    6. Es posible (comprender) __________________________ cada tarea.

    7. Es raro que los perros no (querer) ______________________ caminar.

    8. Es probable que los buenos estudiantes (memorizar) _____________________ el vocabulario.

    9. Es imposible no (estar) ___________________ alegre en esta clase.

    10. Es bueno que nosotros (hacer) ____________________la tarea.

    B. Complete each sentence in a logical way.

    1. Es bueno que yo _________________________________________________.

    2. Es terrible que yo _________________________________________________.

    3. Es probable que mis amigos_________________________________________.

    4. Es mejor _________________________________________________________.

    5. Es necesario _____________________________________________________.

    6. Es imposible que tú ________________________________________________.

    7. Es posible que la clase _____________________________________________.

    8. Es necesario que nosotros __________________________________________.

    9. Es raro que los perros ______________________________________________.

    10. Es fantástico que yo _______________________________________________.

    11. Es agradable que _________________________________________________.

    12. No es justo que la profesora ________________________________________.

    13. Es justo que _____________________________________________________.

    14. Es increíble que __________________________________________________.

    15. Es curioso que ___________________________________________________

    C. What is are impersonal expressions? When do we use the subjuntive with them? Share two sentences with an impersonal expression and the subjunctive. Then, share two sentences with an impersonal expression and the indicative. Which was easier to write: the subjunctive or the indicative? Why?

    This page titled 13.6: The subjunctive with impersonal expressions was last modified on Wed, 13 May 2026 03:26:54 GMT and is shared under a CC BY 4.0 license and was authored, remixed, and/or curated by .