Subjunctive with Impersonal Expressions

By: Shannon Unit 7 Lesson 1

Explanation •When an Impersonal

expression gives an opinion that something should happen and it does not express certainty, the verbs that follow are in the subjunctive.

Explanation (continued)• If the expression is certain

than it would be in the indicative form.

NotesThese are some common impersonal expressions that are used with the subjunctive:• Es importante• Es necesario • Es preferible

Notes (continued)• Es bueno• Es malo All of these expressions

are followed by “que”.

More NotesThese words express certainty and would NOT use the subjunctive:• Es cierto •No dudar • Es verdad • Es evidente

Even More Notes• Es seguro • Saber •Pensar •OpinarThese phrases also use que but

do not use the subjunctive.

Examples• Es importante que tú leas tus libros.• Es necesario que yo explique mis

proyectos.• Es bueno que nos entendamos bien.• Es malo que tú discutas.• Es preferible que yo tenga tres

ejemplos.

Translation• It is important that you read your books.• It is necessary that you explain your

project.• It is good that we understand each other

well.• It is bad that you argue.• It is preferable that I have three examples.

Internet Resources•http://drlemon.com/Gram

mar/Subjunctive/Imp-express.html •http://drlemon.com/Gram

mar/Subjunctive/Imp-express.html

Internet Resources (continued)

•http://atschool.eduweb.co.uk/rgshiwyc/school/curric/Spanish/AS/Subjunctive3/1.htm •http://www.spanishdict.c

om/topics/show/71

Online Practice•http://

www.studyspanish.com/practice/subj7.htm •http://

spanishspanish.com/subj_impersonal_iweb.html

Practice•Battleship:

–http://www.quia.com/ba/550965.html –http://www.quia.com/ba/550965.html