(LRI) - Grammar: Uses of the Subjunctive Tense Lesson

Grammar: Uses of the Subjunctive Tense

Here is a short but important video lesson to wrap up the uses of subjunctive verbs. Be prepared to pause and take notes.

Impersonal Expressions

Impersonal expressions work a lot like emotions in that they express someone's opinion or value judgment. They focus on the subjectivity of the statement and not on the actual truth or reality of the situation.

Almost any phrase using the formula  es  +  adjective  +  que  can be an impersonal expression as long as it doesn't state a truth (like es verdad que), certainty (like  es cierto  que), or fact (like  es un hecho  que). Phrases beginning with these statements use the indicative.
Phrases beginning with the negated forms of the above phrases (no es verdad  que, etc.) use the subjunctive.

Check out these examples:

It is necessary that the students read this book.
Es necesario que los esutiantes lean este libro.
It is not certain that the test is tomorrow.
No es cierto que el examen sea mañana.
It is probable that we are going to Perú this summer.
Es probable que vayamos a Perú este verano.

Useful Impersonal Expressions

The table below shows some useful impersonal expressions you can use with the subjunctive.

SPANISH	ENGLISH	SPANISH	ENGLISH
es agradable	it is nice	es estupendo	it is great
es necesario	it is necessary	es urgente	it is urgent
es bueno	it is good	es extraño	it is strange
es probable	it is probable	es vergonzoso	it is a disgrace
es curioso	it is curious/weird	es importante	it is important
es raro	it is rare/strange/odd	no es cierto	it is not certain
es dudoso	it is doubtful	es increíble	it is incredible
es recomendable	it is recommended	no es hecho	it is not a fact
es esencial	it is essential	es malo	it is bad
es una lástima	it is a pity	no es verdad	it is not true

Remember, the subjunctive is used to convey doubt, desire, emotion, necessity, or uncertainty. It does not need to be used when you have situations of certainty and probable situations.

Vamos a Practicar

Please complete the activity below.

El Subjuntivo: Aprendiendo en Contexto

Watch the following video lesson and learn how to express good wishes and congratulations. Be prepared to take notes.

Vamos a Practicar

Test your knowledge with the following flashcards.

RESOURCES IN THIS MODULE ARE OPEN EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES (OER) OR CREATED BY GAVS UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED. SOME IMAGES USED UNDER SUBSCRIPTION.