The Subjunctive with
Impersonal Expressions
In Spanish, the SUBJUNCTIVE MOOD is used for the
many situations in life when something is not 100%
certain or true. The subjunctive is used for
uncertainty, doubt, desire, wishes, feelings, things
that are impersonal, and several other moods. For
now, we are only going to discuss the present
subjunctive when it is used with the impersonal
expressions, because there is no guarantee that the
next part of the sentence will happen.
es bueno que
es importante que
es lógico que
es malo que
es mejor que
es necesario que
es peligroso que
es posible que
es raro que
es ridículo que
es triste que
es una lástima que
it's good that
it's important that
it's logical that
it's bad that
it's better /best that
it's necessary that
it's dangerous that
it's possible that
it's rare (strange) that
it's ridiculous that
it's sad that
it's a pity that
el subjuntivo
• The construction of the present tense subjunctive
sentence with impersonal expressions will look like:
Impersonal expression (this is the “trigger”)
+que
+ new subject
+ present subjunctive of the verb
You need to have a NEW subject for the sentence to be
subjunctive. In these impersonal expressions, the first
subject is the “it.”
• The formation of the present tense
subjunctive will be easy for you because it is
exactly the same as the formal commands!
• This time, you can follow the rule for more
endings than just Usted and Ustedes.
• Remember, since you are switching endings,
the –car, -gar, -zar rules apply!
Take the yo form, drop the O, add the
opposite ending.
Comer
Take the yo form, drop the O, add the
opposite ending.
Hablar
Take the yo form, drop the O, add the
opposite ending.
Escribir
Take the yo form, drop the O, add the
opposite ending.
Hacer
For -ar and -er stem-changing verbs,
the formula applies except that
there is no stem change in the
nosotros form.
Poder
For -ir stem-changing verbs, the stem change in
the nosotros form follows these patterns:
o ue verbs change o  u; eie verbs change
e  i; e:i verbs change e  i.
Remember dormir and durmiendo?
Dormir:
Take the yo form, drop the O, add the
opposite ending.
Sentir
Take the yo form, drop the O, add the
opposite ending.
Buscar
Take the yo form, drop the O, add the
opposite ending.
Llegar
Take the yo form, drop the O, add the
opposite ending.
Almorzar
Irregulars in Ud. Commands = irregular
in subjunctive!
Ir
• So now, on to USING the subjunctive with
impersonal expressions:
• Impersonal expression (this is the “trigger”)
• +que
• + new subject
• + present subjunctive of the verb
It’s important that you study.
(are you definitely studying? No. This person
speaking feels that it’s important, but you can’t
say “estudias” because that means you
definitely study. The subjunctive is going to open
up the idea that there is no guarantee here).
• In Spanish: Es importante que tú estudies.
• It’s important that you study (for you to study)
• Sometimes in English we don’t say things
exactly grammatically correct, so sometimes
instead of “that” we use “for (subject) to.”
It’s necessary for you guys to get good grades on
this quiz = what you are really saying is
• “it is necessary that you all get good grades on
this quiz.”
• Es necesario que ustedes saquen buenas notas
en esta prueba.
It may be helpful for you to rewrite sentences in
English to be sure you know that it fits this model
with the “que” plus a different subject:
1. It’s important for her to study Spanish in college=
rewritten in ENGLISH =
__________________________________________
____________________________
Now, the Spanish version with subjunctive:
__________________________________________
____________________________
• It’s logical for him to arrive late tonight. =Eng =
_____________________________________
_________________________________
• Span =
_____________________________________
_________________________________
3. It’s strange that she eats lunch alone.
_______________________________________
_______________
4. It’s ridiculous that we don’t have spring break
next year.
_______________________________________
_______________________________
5. It’s better for us to go to the store now.
_______________________________________
_______________________________
6. It’s a shame that they don’t know the new
student.
_______________________________________
_______________________________
7. It’s important for her to come to class on
time.
_______________________________________
_______________________________
8. It’s dangerous that your dad doesn’t use a
helmet!
_______________________________________
_______________________________