Subjunctive with Impersonal Expressions

Impersonal expressions are phrases that begin with "es + adjective + que" and do not have a specific personal subject. Many of these expressions trigger the subjunctive. This is the "I" in the WEIRDO acronym.

---

What Are Impersonal Expressions?

An impersonal expression is a statement that applies generally, without a specific person as the grammatical subject. In Spanish, they typically follow the pattern:

Es + adjective/noun + que + [clause]

For example:

• Es importante que estudies. — It's important that you study.
• Es necesario que vengas. — It's necessary that you come.

The "it" in English ("It's important...") does not refer to any specific thing — it's impersonal. These expressions often convey judgements, opinions, evaluations, or recommendations, which is why they trigger the subjunctive.

---

Impersonal Expressions That Trigger Subjunctive

Necessity and Importance

Expression	Meaning	Example
Es importante que	It's important that	Es importante que practiques todos los días.
Es necesario que	It's necessary that	Es necesario que llegues a tiempo.
Es preciso que	It's essential that	Es preciso que entendamos las reglas.
Es fundamental que	It's fundamental that	Es fundamental que sepan la verdad.
Es imprescindible que	It's indispensable that	Es imprescindible que traigan los documentos.
Es urgente que	It's urgent that	Es urgente que vayamos al hospital.
Hace falta que	It's necessary that	Hace falta que estudies más.

Judgement and Evaluation

Expression	Meaning	Example
Es mejor que	It's better that	Es mejor que hablemos en persona.
Es bueno que	It's good that	Es bueno que hagas ejercicio.
Es malo que	It's bad that	Es malo que fumes tanto.
Es justo que	It's fair that	Es justo que todos paguen lo mismo.
Es injusto que	It's unfair that	Es injusto que no le den una oportunidad.
Es lógico que	It's logical that	Es lógico que esté cansado.
Es natural que	It's natural that	Es natural que tengas miedo.
Es normal que	It's normal that	Es normal que te sientas nervioso.
Es ridículo que	It's ridiculous that	Es ridículo que cobren tanto.
Es absurdo que	It's absurd that	Es absurdo que no haya solución.

Possibility and Probability

Expression	Meaning	Example
Es posible que	It's possible that	Es posible que llueva mañana.
Es imposible que	It's impossible that	Es imposible que ganen sin practicar.
Es probable que	It's probable that	Es probable que vengan tarde.
Es improbable que	It's improbable that	Es improbable que nieve en julio.

Emotions (Overlap with "E" in WEIRDO)

Expression	Meaning	Example
Es triste que	It's sad that	Es triste que no pueda venir.
Es una lástima que	It's a shame that	Es una lástima que se vaya.
Es increíble que	It's incredible that	Es increíble que hable cinco idiomas.
Es sorprendente que	It's surprising that	Es sorprendente que sepa tanto.
Es terrible que	It's terrible that	Es terrible que haya tanta pobreza.
Es maravilloso que	It's wonderful that	Es maravilloso que estén aquí.
Es horrible que	It's horrible that	Es horrible que sufran así.

Sufficiency and Excess

Expression	Meaning	Example
Basta que	It's enough that	Basta que digas la verdad.
Basta con que	It's sufficient that	Basta con que vengas mañana.
Es suficiente que	It's sufficient that	Es suficiente que envíes un correo.
Es demasiado que	It's too much that	Es demasiado que pidan tanto dinero.

---

Impersonal Expressions That Take INDICATIVE

Not all impersonal expressions trigger the subjunctive. Those that express certainty or truth take the indicative: