When does the subjunctive follow?
Impersonal expressions like es importante name nobody who thinks or wants. They are the it is … openers: it is important, it is possible, it is a shame. They judge a situation instead of stating a fact, so the verb after que goes into the subjuntivo.
Es importante que estudies.
It is important that you study.
Es posible que llueva mañana.
It is possible that it will rain tomorrow.
Notice the second sentence: English says will rain, but Spanish puts no future after que here. The present subjunctive llueva already covers tomorrow.
The most common expressions
| Meaning | Expressions |
|---|---|
| necessary | es necesario que · es preciso que · hace falta que |
| possible | es posible que · es probable que · es imposible que · puede que |
| judges | es importante que · es mejor que · es bueno que · es malo que |
| triggers a reaction | es una pena que · es extraño que · es normal que · es lógico que · es increíble que |
Es necesario que llegues temprano.
It is necessary that you arrive early.
Puede que tengamos que esperar.
We might have to wait.
Es mejor que lo hagas ahora.
It is better that you do it now.
Es una pena que no puedas venir.
It is a shame that you cannot come.
Es lógico que estés cansado.
It is logical that you are tired.
The last group feels odd in English: it is logical that you are tired states something both speakers accept as true, and Spanish still takes the subjunctive, because the opener rates the situation instead of reporting it.
Without a specific person, use the infinitive
You need que + subjuntivo only when you say who the statement is about. If it is general, the infinitive follows the expression directly, like English it is important to study.
Es importante estudiar todos los días.
It is important to study every day. (in general)
Es importante que estudies todos los días.
It is important that you study every day. (you)
Exception - facts stay in the indicativo
If the opener asserts a fact (es verdad que, es cierto que, es evidente que), the indicativo stays. Negate it and the fact is in question, so the subjunctive takes over. English shows none of this: it is true that he knows and it is not true that he knows use the same verb form.
Affirmative → indicativo
Es verdad que tiene razón.
It is true that he is right.
Es evidente que viene.
It is obvious that he is coming.
Negated → subjuntivo
No es verdad que tenga razón.
It is not true that he is right.
No es evidente que venga.
It is not obvious that he is coming.
