es importante que, es verdad que
Judgements, necessity and possibility take the subjunctive; certainty takes the indicative.
Part of the free B1 Spanish course. Press the speaker next to an example to hear it.
An impersonal expression is a phrase with no real person as subject, like English it is important, it's possible, it's true. In Spanish they are usually es + adjective + que or está + adjective + que.
Two groups
The question is the same as in Doubt and denial: no creo que vs creo que: are you stating a fact or doing something else with it (judging it, saying it's needed or possible)?
| Subjunctive: judgement, need, possibility | Indicative: certainty |
|---|---|
| es importante que, es necesario que | es verdad que, es cierto que |
| es mejor que, es fundamental que | es obvio que, es evidente que |
| es posible que, es imposible que | está claro que |
| es probable que | es seguro que |
| es normal que, es raro que | |
| es una pena que, es increíble que | |
| hace falta que |
- Es importante que bebáis mucha agua.It's important for you all to drink lots of water.
- Es mejor que salgamos temprano.It's better if we leave early.
- Es posible que el vuelo llegue con retraso.The flight may arrive late.
- Es una pena que no te quedes.It's a shame you're not staying.
- Es normal que estés nervioso.It's normal for you to be nervous.
- Hace falta que alguien limpie la cocina.Someone needs to clean the kitchen.
- Es verdad que el español es fácil de pronunciar.It's true that Spanish is easy to pronounce.
- Está claro que necesitamos ayuda.It's clear that we need help.
- Es obvio que no le gusta.It's obvious he doesn't like it.
Negated certainty becomes subjunctive
When you deny a certainty, it becomes doubt, and the subjunctive returns:
- No es verdad que el español sea tan difícil.It isn't true that Spanish is so difficult.
Similarly no está claro que, no es seguro que, no es cierto que + subjunctive.
No specific person? Use the infinitive
If you're talking about people in general, drop que and use the infinitive:
- Es importante beber mucha agua.It's important to drink lots of water.
Es importante beber (for anyone) vs Es importante que bebáis (for you all).
Es que
Es que (it's just that, the thing is) is not a judgement; it introduces an explanation and takes the indicative: Es que no tengo tiempo = The thing is, I don't have time.
Latin America
The same rules apply everywhere; ustedes replaces vosotros (Es importante que beban mucha agua). Hace falta is understood everywhere; you will also hear se necesita que.
Common mistakes
Es importante que llegas pronto: judgements take the subjunctive: llegues.Es verdad que sea difícil: an affirmative statement of truth takes the indicative: es difícil.Es posible que vendrá: possibility takes the present subjunctive, which also covers the future: venga.Es necesario que estudiar: either Es necesario estudiar (general) or Es necesario que estudies (specific), not a mix.
Practice
- Es necesario que _____ (tú, rellenar) este formulario.
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rellenes
- Es cierto que Lucía _____ tres idiomas.Options: habla · hable · hablar · hablara
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habla — Es cierto que (affirmative) states a fact: indicative.
- No es cierto que Lucía _____ tres idiomas.Options: hable · habla · hablar · hablará
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hable — Denying a certainty takes the subjunctive.
- Es probable que _____ (nevar) esta noche.
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nieve — Nevar is e → ie: nieve.