Impersonal Expressions + Infinitive vs. Subjunctive
Learn when impersonal expressions take the infinitive (Es importante estudiar, for general advice) vs. the subjunctive (Es importante que estudies, directed at someone). Master: es necesario, es mejor, es difícil, es fundamental.
A lesson of Spanish B1 — Intermediate, in Complex Grammar, about 10 minutes.
By the end of this lesson, you will be able to correctly choose between the infinitive and the subjunctive after impersonal expressions — one of the most common decision points in B1 Spanish.
The Core Decision
After impersonal expressions like es importante, es necesario, es bueno, Spanish speakers must choose between two structures. The choice depends on one factor:
| Situation | Structure | Example |
|---|---|---|
| No specific subject — general statement | Impersonal expression + que + infinitive | Es importante estudiar. |
| Specific different subject in the clause | Impersonal expression + que + subjunctive | Es importante que tú estudies. |
Infinitive: No Specific Subject (General Truth)
When the impersonal expression is making a general statement about what is good/necessary/important in life — without specifying who — use the infinitive:
Es importante practicar todos los días. — It's important to practice every day. (general) Es necesario dormir ocho horas. — It's necessary to sleep eight hours. (general advice) Es bueno hacer ejercicio. — It's good to exercise. (general) Es difícil aprender chino. — It's difficult to learn Chinese. (general) Es mejor llegar temprano. — It's better to arrive early. (general)
Subjunctive: Specific Subject in the Clause
When the impersonal expression is directed at a specific person (you, he, they…), use que + subjunctive:
Es importante que todos los días. — It's important that every day. — It's necessary that eight hours. — It's good that . — It's better that early. — It's fundamental that .