Impersonal Expressions with Subjunctive in Spanish: A Complete B1 Guide

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Key Takeaways

• Master the rule: Most impersonal expressions of opinion, judgment, necessity, or doubt trigger the subjunctive.
• Learn the key exceptions: Impersonal expressions of certainty or fact use the indicative.
• Understand the structure: Es + adjective/adverb/noun + que + [subjunctive/indicative clause].
• Apply the “subject change” requirement: The subjunctive is triggered when the impersonal expression comments on a different subject’s action.
• Memorize high-frequency expressions for speaking and writing.

Expressing Judgment and Necessity: The “It Is…” Constructions
You know the subjunctive is triggered by emotion or doubt. One of its most common and practical uses is with impersonal expressions—phrases that start with “It is…” (Es…). These allow you to voice opinions, state necessities, and express judgments about situations or other people’s actions in a nuanced, grammatically sophisticated way.

What are Impersonal Expressions?

They are phrases where the subject is an unspecified “it” (es). They are used to make general statements about necessity, importance, probability, or emotion regarding an action in a subordinate clause.

Structure: Es + [adjective/noun] + que + [subjunctive or indicative verb]

• “Es importante que estudies.” (It is important that you study.)
• “Es verdad que llueve.” (It is true that it is raining.)

The Core Rule: Subjunctive vs. Indicative

The verb in the que clause depends on the meaning of the impersonal expression.

Category 1: Expressions that ALWAYS Trigger Subjunctive

These express personal judgment, necessity, recommendation, doubt, or emotion. They are subjective.

Table: Common Subjunctive-Triggering Expressions

Expression	Meaning	Example
Es importante que	It’s important that	Es importante que llegues a tiempo.
Es necesario que	It’s necessary that	Es necesario que hablemos.
Es mejor que	It’s better that	Es mejor que te quedes.
Es urgente que	It’s urgent that	Es urgente que lo vea un médico.
Es posible que	It’s possible that	Es posible que llueva mañana.
Es probable que	It’s probable/likely that	Es probable que ganen.
Es dudoso que	It’s doubtful that	Es dudoso que puedan venir.
Es una lástima que	It’s a pity that	Es una lástima que no estés.
Es bueno/malo que	It’s good/bad that	Es bueno que practiques.

Category 2: Expressions that ALWAYS Use Indicative

These express certainty, truth, or an obvious fact. They are objective.

Table: Common Indicative-Triggering Expressions

Expression	Meaning	Example
Es cierto que	It’s certain that	Es cierto que viene mañana.
Es verdad que	It’s true that	Es verdad que es caro.
Es obvio que	It’s obvious that	Es obvio que tienes razón.
Es seguro que	It’s sure that	Es seguro que lo saben.
Es evidente que	It’s evident that	Es evidente que está enfermo.
Es un hecho que	It’s a fact that	Es un hecho que la tierra gira.

💡 Grammar Tip: Think of it this way: If the expression shows how you feel or judge the action (subjective), use subjunctive. If it states a verifiable fact (objective), use indicative.

The “No” Effect: How Negation Changes Meaning

Adding no to an indicative expression often flips it to require the subjunctive, because it introduces doubt or denial.

• Indicative: “Es verdad que viene.” (It’s true he’s coming.)
• Subjunctive: “No es verdad que venga.” (It’s not true that he’s coming.)
• Indicative: “Es cierto que lo hizo.” (It’s certain he did it.)
• Subjunctive: “No es cierto que lo hiciera.” (It’s not certain that he did it.)

💻 Conjugate Correctly in the Clause

Once you know you need the subjunctive, you must conjugate it correctly. Use our Spanish Verb Conjugation Tool to quickly check the present subjunctive form of any verb to use after “que”.

➤ Try the Spanish Verb Conjugation Tool Now

Special Case: When There’s No Subject Change

If the subject of the impersonal expression (es) is the same as the subject of the verb in the que clause, Spanish often uses the infinitive instead of que + subjunctive.

• With subject change (Subjunctive): “Es importante que tú hables.” (It’s important that you speak.)
• Without subject change (Infinitive): “Es importante hablar claramente.” (It’s important to speak clearly.) → The unspecified subject of “hablar” is the same as the impersonal “it”.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Using Indicative for Judgment: “Es necesario que estudias.” (Wrong). → “Es necesario que estudies.” (Necessity = subjunctive).
• Using Subjunctive for Facts: “Es obvio que seas inteligente.” (Wrong). → “Es obvio que eres inteligente.” (Fact = indicative).
• Ignoring the “No” Effect: “No es cierto que viene.” (Sounds awkward). → “No es cierto que venga.” (Negation of fact = doubt = subjunctive).
• Overusing “Que” with Same Subject: “Es importante que yo practicar.” (Clunky). Use the infinitive: “Es importante practicar.”
• Confusing “Es posible” (subjunctive) with “Puede ser” (subjunctive): Both are correct for possibility. “Es posible que venga” = “Puede ser que venga.”

Putting It All Together: Formal Advice or Opinion

Giving Advice:
“Para este proyecto, es esencial que trabajen en equipo. Es improbable que tengan éxito de otra manera. Sin embargo, es bueno que cada uno aporte ideas diferentes. Es cierto que requerirá mucho esfuerzo, pero es mejor que empiecen pronto.”

Translation:
“For this project, it is essential that you work as a team. It is unlikely that you will have success any other way. However, it is good that each person contributes different ideas. It is certain that it will require a lot of effort, but it is better that you start soon.”

Quick Reference Chart

Type of Expression	Mood in Que Clause	Key Words	Example
Necessity / Importance	Subjunctive	importante, necesario, esencial, urgente	Es crucial que firmes.
Judgment / Value	Subjunctive	mejor, bueno, malo, injusto, una lástima	Es malo que fumen.
Doubt / Possibility	Subjunctive	posible, probable, dudoso, improbable	Es posible que lleguen tarde.
Certainty / Fact	Indicative	cierto, verdad, obvio, seguro, evidente	Es evidente que miente.
Negation of Fact	Subjunctive	no es cierto, no es verdad, no es seguro	No es seguro que esté.

Practice Exercise: Subjunctive or Indicative?
Choose the correct mood.

1. Es extraño que ellos no (llaman / llamen).
2. Es un hecho que el sol (se pone / se ponga) por el oeste.
3. No es necesario que ustedes (esperan / esperen).
4. Es probable que (hay / haya) tráfico.
5. Es verdad que ella (sabe / sepa) mucho del tema.

Answers:

1. llamen (Subjunctive – “Es extraño” expresses personal judgment/surprise).
2. se pone (Indicative – “Es un hecho” states a fact).
3. esperen (Subjunctive – “Es necesario” expresses necessity).
4. haya (Subjunctive – “Es probable” expresses likelihood, not certainty).
5. sabe (Indicative – “Es verdad” states a fact).

📚 Review Related Topics: Present Subjunctive | Subjunctive vs. Indicative | Sentence Structure | Spanish Verb Conjugation Tool

Ready to Express Nuanced Opinions in Spanish?
Using impersonal expressions correctly is key to formal communication. Test your ability to choose between subjunctive and indicative.

Take Our Impersonal Expressions Quiz ►

Pro Tip: To sound more natural, vary your expressions. Instead of always using “Es importante que…”, try “Conviene que…” (It’s advisable that…), “Resulta fundamental que…” (It turns out to be essential that…), or “Hace falta que…” (It’s necessary that…). This showcases true B1 vocabulary range.