Impersonal Statements in Spanish Subjunctive Mood

Impersonal expressions of the type "es + adjective + que" are almost always followed by a verb in the subjunctive mood. This is because such expressions usually indicate either a value judgment or a desire.

Some Examples

• Es importante que estemos en la misma página. It is important that we be on the same page.
• Es sorprendente que nadie haya ido a la cárcel. It's surprising no one has gone to jail.
• No es bueno que el hombre esté sólo. It is not good for the man to be alone.
• Es posible que algunos sitios web no se muestren o funcionen correctamente en ese navegador. It's possible that some websites don't display or function properly in that browser.
• Es necesario que cierren las escuelas. It's necessary for them to close the schools.
• Es prohibido que la familia anfitriona aloje otros estudiantes. The host family is prohibited from lodging other students.
• Es interesante que el equipo gane. It's interesting that the team is winning.
• Es natural que yo esté enamorado de ti. It's natural that I'm in love with you.

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Using the Subjunctive Mood Following Impersonal ‘Es’ Phrases

By Gerald Erichsen

As you might expect, the same holds true in other tenses:

• Era urgente que llegara a la ciudad. It was urgent for him to arrive at the city.
• Será preciso que vayas a Buenos Aires. It will be necessary for you to go to Buenos Aires.

Impersonal verbs with similar meanings and followed by que also are followed by a verb in the subjunctive:

• No me interesa que el equipo gane. It doesn't interest me that the team is winning.
• Importa que la familia reciba el dinero. It is important that the family receives the money.

The main exception to using the subjunctive after expressions of the type "es + adjective + que" occurs when the impersonal expression explicitly states that what follows is factual:

• Es obvio que estoy preocupado. It's obvious I'm worried.
• Es cierto que la familia está en crisis. It is certain that the family is in crisis.