C1 · Advanced

Impersonal and evaluative expressions

Es lógico/normal/imprescindible que + subjunctive, es evidente/obvio que + indicative, lo + adjective + es que, 'de + infinitive' as a condition, and 'ser de + infinitive'.

Es + adjective + que + subjunctive: evaluation and necessity

Impersonal expressions of evaluation, necessity or emotion (es lógico, es normal, es imprescindible, es una pena, es importante, es raro) are always followed by the subjunctive, because they don't assert a fact but give a subjective judgment.

Examples

Es lógico que estés cansado después de un viaje tan largo.It's logical that you're tired after such a long trip.
Es imprescindible que todos lleguen a tiempo.It's essential that everyone arrives on time.
Es una pena que no puedas venir a la boda.It's a shame you can't come to the wedding.
Es normal que tengas dudas al principio.It's normal to have doubts at the beginning.

Es + adjective + que + indicative: certainty

Expressions of certainty or evidence (es evidente, es obvio, es verdad, es cierto, es seguro) are followed by the indicative, because they assert something as an objective fact. Note: when you negate such an expression, the mood usually switches to subjunctive.

Categorie/CategoryVoorbeelden/ExamplesModus/Mood
Waardering/noodzaak — Evaluation/necessityes lógico, es normal, es imprescindible, es una penasubjuntivo
Zekerheid — Certaintyes evidente, es obvio, es verdad, es ciertoindicativo (subjuntivo bij ontkenning / subjunctive when negated)

Examples

Es evidente que el clima está cambiando.It's evident that the climate is changing.
Es verdad que los precios han subido mucho.It's true that prices have risen a lot.
No es evidente que tenga razón.It's not evident that he's right.

Lo + adjective + es que

'Lo + adjective + es que' highlights the most notable aspect of a situation. The mood after 'que' follows the same logic as above: indicative when reporting a fact, subjunctive when it's evaluative/desiderative (e.g. 'lo importante es que...').

Examples

Lo curioso es que nadie se dio cuenta.The curious thing is that nobody noticed.
Lo importante es que estés bien.The important thing is that you're okay.
Lo peor es que ya lo sabíamos.The worst part is that we already knew.

'De + infinitive' as a condition

'De + infinitive' is a compact way to express a hypothetical condition, equivalent to 'si + subjunctive'. This is typical of written/formal Spanish.

De haberlo sabido, habría venido. = Si lo hubiera sabido, habría venido. ('Had I known, I would have come.')

Examples

De haberlo sabido, te habría avisado.Had I known, I would have told you.
De ser posible, prefiero pagar en efectivo.If possible, I'd rather pay in cash.
De continuar así, tendremos problemas.If things continue like this, we'll have problems.

'Ser de + infinitive'

'Ser de + infinitive' (es de esperar, es de suponer, es de agradecer, es de destacar) expresses that something is to be expected, assumed or appreciated. It often behaves like 'es probable que' and is followed by the subjunctive when a 'que'-clause follows.

Examples

Es de esperar que los precios bajen pronto.It's to be expected that prices will drop soon.
Es de agradecer su ayuda en este momento tan difícil.Your help at this difficult time is much appreciated.
Es de suponer que llegarán tarde por el tráfico.It's to be assumed they'll arrive late because of traffic.

💡 Tips

💡
Rule of thumb: evaluation/emotion/necessity (es lógico, es una pena...) → subjunctive; certainty/evidence (es evidente, es verdad...) → indicative — but negating certainty ('no es evidente que') switches to subjunctive.
💡
'de + infinitive' is a compact, formal replacement for 'si + subjunctive' — useful in written Spanish, but unusual in spontaneous speech.
💡
'es de esperar/suponer/agradecer' sounds formal and is often followed by a subjunctive clause ('es de esperar que...') — similar to 'es probable que...'.

🎯 Practise this topic with 10 interactive exercises (10)

Related grammar

Complex sentences and subordination
Nominalization, relative clauses with a preposition (con quien, en el que, cuyo), gerund clauses and absolute participle clauses.

← Complex sentences and subordination

Want to really master this?

Create a free account: placement test, personal learning path, exercises with instant feedback, pronunciation and a real teacher following your progress.

Start for free 📅 Book a trial lesson with Yohana on Preply