Chapter 42: Using the Present Subjunctive with WEIRDO - Part 2 - Impersonal Expressions & Recommendations
¡Hola! In this chapter, we continue our exploration of the WEIRDO acronym for subjunctive triggers, focusing on Impersonal Expressions and Recommendations/Requests. These are common situations where Spanish requires the subjunctive mood in the dependent clause, usually after "que."
Objectives
By the end of this chapter, you will be able to:
Understand how impersonal expressions (e.g., es importante que, es necesario que) trigger the subjunctive.
Understand how verbs of recommendation, request, or suggestion (e.g., recomendar que, pedir que, sugerir que) trigger the subjunctive.
Form sentences using these impersonal expressions and verbs followed by the present subjunctive.
Distinguish when to use subjunctive vs. infinitive with these types of expressions.
Introduction/Warm-up
Impersonal expressions often state a general truth, necessity, or opinion without a specific personal subject in the main clause. Recommendations and requests inherently involve influencing or directing someone else's actions, which leans towards the subjective realm of the subjunctive.
(Optional Review): Conjugate "ser" and "estar" in the present subjunctive. (ser: sea, seas, sea...; estar: esté, estés, esté...). How would you say "I recommend" (present indicative of recomendar)? (Recomiendo).
Presentation of New Material: Subjunctive with Impersonal Expressions & Recommendations
I: Impersonal Expressions
Impersonal expressions are phrases that don't have a specific person as the subject of the main clause. They often start with "Es..." (It is...). When these expressions convey subjectivity, necessity, possibility, importance, or judgment about an action in a following "que" clause, the verb in that "que" clause is in the subjunctive.
Common Impersonal Expressions that Trigger Subjunctive:
Es importante que... (It's important that...)
Es necesario que... (It's necessary that...)
Es bueno que... (It's good that...)
Es malo que... (It's bad that...)
Es mejor que... (It's better that...)
Es posible que... (It's possible that...)
Es probable que... (It's probable that...)
Es una lástima que... (It's a shame that...)
Es urgente que... (It's urgent that...)
Basta que... (It's enough that...)
Más vale que... (It's better that... / You'd better...)
Examples:
Es importante que tú estudies (subj.) para el examen. (It's important that you study for the exam.)
Es necesario que nosotros lleguemos (subj. - llegar g:gu) temprano. (It's necessary that we arrive early.)
Es posible que él venga (subj. - venir irreg.) mañana. (It's possible that he will come tomorrow.)
Important Exception: If an impersonal expression states a fact or certainty, the indicative is used in the "que" clause.
Es verdad que él estudia (indicative) mucho. (It's true that he studies a lot.)
Es cierto que va a llover (indicative - future). (It's certain that it is going to rain.)
Generally, if the impersonal expression implies doubt, possibility, necessity, or opinion, use the subjunctive. If it implies certainty or fact, use the indicative.
Also, if there is no "que" and no change of subject, an infinitive is used after the impersonal expression (often with a preposition like "de" if needed, but many don't require it).
Es importante estudiar. (It's important to study. - General statement, no specific subject for "estudiar")
R: Recommendations, Requests, Requirements
When the main verb expresses a recommendation, advice, request, suggestion, order, or requirement directed at another subject, the verb in the subordinate "que" clause is in the subjunctive. This implies influencing another person's actions.
Common Trigger Verbs for Recommendations/Requests:
recomendar (e:ie) que... (to recommend that...)
sugerir (e:ie, e:i) que... (to suggest that...)
aconsejar que... (to advise that...)
pedir (e:i, e:i) que... (to ask/request that...)
insistir en que... (to insist that...)
exigir que... (to demand that...)
mandar que... (to order/command that...)
permitir que... (to permit/allow that...)
prohibir que... (to prohibit that...)
dejar que... (to let/allow that...)
hacer que... (to make/cause that... - in the sense of making someone do something)
Examples:
Te recomiendo queleas (subj.) este libro. (I recommend that you read this book.)
El médico me aconseja quedescanse (subj.) más. (The doctor advises that I rest more.)
Mis padres no permiten que yo salga (subj. - salir irreg.) tarde. (My parents don't allow me to go out late.)
Important: If there is no change of subject (the person recommending is also the one who would do the action), an infinitive is used.
Te recomiendo leer este libro. (I recommend (to you) reading this book. - The implied subject of "leer" is "you," the same as the indirect object of "recomiendo.") This structure is also common.
Practice Activities
Practice with Flashcards
Master subjunctive with impersonal expressions & recommendations.
Instructions: Is the main clause an Impersonal Expression (IE) or a Recommendation/Request (R/R)?
Es necesario que lleguemos a tiempo. (IE / R/R)
Te pido que me ayudes. (IE / R/R)
Es mejor que comas algo. (IE / R/R)
El jefe manda que terminemos el informe. (IE / R/R)
Es probable que llueva. (IE / R/R)
Answer Key:
IE
R/R
IE
R/R
IE
Production Practice:
Exercise 1: Impersonal Expressions
Instructions: Complete the sentences with the correct present subjunctive form of the verb in parentheses.
Es importante que tú ___________ (comprender) la lección.
Es bueno que nosotros ___________ (hacer - irregular: hagamos) ejercicio.
Es posible que ella ___________ (estar - irregular: esté) ocupada.
Es una lástima que ellos no ___________ (poder - o:ue → puedan) venir.
Más vale que yo ___________ (empezar - e:ie → empiece) ahora.
Answer Key:
comprendas
hagamos
esté
puedan
empiece
Exercise 2: Recommendations and Requests
Instructions: Complete the sentences with the correct present subjunctive form of the verb in parentheses.
Mi amigo me recomienda que yo ___________ (visitar) ese museo.
Te pido que ___________ (ser - irregular: seas) paciente.
El profesor sugiere que nosotros ___________ (leer) más.
Insisten en que él ___________ (decir - e:i → diga) la verdad.
No permito que mis hijos ___________ (ver) esa película.
Answer Key:
visite
seas
leamos
diga
vean
Interactive Activity:
Exercise 1: "Consejos para un Amigo" (Advice for a Friend)
Instructions: Imagine a friend has a problem (e.g., "Estoy muy estresado/a." - I'm very stressed. / "Quiero aprender español rápido." - I want to learn Spanish quickly.). In pairs, give advice using impersonal expressions or verbs of recommendation with the subjunctive.
Example: Friend says: "No duermo bien." You say: "Es importante que duermas más." or "Te recomiendo que te relajes antes de dormir."
Cultural Insight: The Art of Giving Advice and Making Suggestions
In many Spanish-speaking cultures, giving advice (dar consejos) or making recommendations (hacer recomendaciones) is often done with a degree of politeness and consideration for the other person's autonomy. The subjunctive mood, triggered by expressions like "Es importante que..." or "Te recomiendo que...," plays a key role in this social dynamic.
Using the subjunctive when suggesting an action for someone else (e.g., "Sugiero que hables con él" - I suggest that you speak with him) frames the suggestion as a subjective opinion or a gentle nudge rather than a direct command. This respects the listener's agency while still conveying the speaker's viewpoint or concern. Similarly, impersonal expressions like "Es mejor que vayas ahora" (It's better that you go now) offer guidance in a way that feels like general wisdom or a considerate observation, rather than a personal imposition. This indirectness can be a feature of maintaining harmonious relationships, a value often cherished in Hispanic societies.
Language Nuances: Impersonal Expressions & Certainty
1. Subjunctive for Subjectivity, Indicative for Certainty
The key difference with impersonal expressions is whether they express subjectivity/opinion or certainty/fact.
Subjunctive (Subjectivity/Opinion/Necessity/Possibility): Es bueno que estudies. (It's good that you study.) - This is an opinion/judgment.
Es posible que llueva. (It's possible that it will rain.) - Expresses possibility, not certainty.
Indicative (Certainty/Fact): Es verdad que estudias mucho. (It's true that you study a lot.) - Stating a fact.
Es obvio que él sabe la respuesta. (It's obvious that he knows the answer.) - Stating a certainty.
Common impersonal expressions that take the indicative (because they express certainty) include: es verdad que, es cierto que, es obvio que, es evidente que, no hay duda de que.
2. No "Que" = Infinitive
If an impersonal expression or a verb of recommendation is not followed by "que" and a change of subject, but rather refers to a general action or an action by the same (implied) subject, the infinitive is used.
Es importante estudiar. (It's important to study. - general)
Te recomiendo estudiar más. (I recommend [to you] studying more. - action for "you" to do)
Compare with subjunctive (change of subject or specific subject in "que" clause):
Es importante que tú estudies. (It's important that you study.)
Te recomiendo que tú estudies más. (I recommend that you study more.)
Review and Consolidation
Key Triggers:
Impersonal Expressions (Subjunctive): es importante que, es necesario que, es bueno/malo que, es mejor que, es posible/probable que, es una lástima que.
Recommendations/Requests (Subjunctive): recomendar que, sugerir que, aconsejar que, pedir que, insistir en que, permitir que.
Key Grammar Point:
Use Present Subjunctive after these expressions when they introduce a subjective view about an action in a "que" clause, especially with a change of subject. Use indicative with impersonal expressions of certainty.
Self-Assessment:
Can you name three impersonal expressions that trigger the subjunctive?
Can you name three verbs of recommendation that trigger the subjunctive?
When do impersonal expressions take the indicative instead of the subjunctive?
Form a sentence using "Es necesario que..." with a subjunctive verb.
Form a sentence using "Te pido que..." with a subjunctive verb.
Looking Ahead
¡Muy bien! You're getting a good handle on when to use the Present Subjunctive. In the next chapter, we'll complete our WEIRDO acronym by looking at expressions of Doubt/Denial and the very common "Ojalá (que)." This will round out the most common triggers for the Present Subjunctive. ¡Sigue así!