é importante que + Subjunctive
Impersonal Expressions with the Subjunctive
Expressions such as é importante que, é mellor que and é necesario que take the subjunctive, as in É mellor que saias cedo (it is better for you to leave early) and É importante que o saiban (it is important that they know).
How It Works
Common expressions: é importante que, é mellor que, é necesario que, é posible que, é normal que, é unha pena que (it is a shame that), é raro que (it is strange that), and cómpre que (it is necessary that).
A particular person → que + subjunctive: É normal que esteades nerviosos (It is normal for you all to be nervous).
Everyone → infinitive: É normal estar nervioso antes dun exame (It is normal to be nervous before an exam).
Facts take the indicative: expressions that say something is true, such as é certo que, é evidente que and está claro que, take the indicative: É certo que chove moito aquí (It is true that it rains a lot here). Negated, they switch to the subjunctive: Non é certo que chova tanto (It is not true that it rains that much).
Pronouns: in the que clause an object pronoun goes before the verb: É importante que o saiban. See pronouns in subordinate clauses.
A Galician alternative: Galician can also use the personal infinitive: É mellor saíres cedo means the same as É mellor que saias cedo.
Examples (6)
- É mellor que saias cedo.
It is better for you to leave early.
Word by Word: Is better that leave-you early.
Saias is the ti form of saír in the subjunctive.
- É importante que o saiban.
It is important that they know.
Word by Word: Is important that it know-they.
Saiban is the subjunctive of saber; the pronoun o comes before it.
- É necesario que traias o pasaporte.
You need to bring your passport.
Word by Word: Is necessary that bring-you the passport.
Traias comes from the eu form traio.
- É normal que esteades un pouco nerviosos.
It is normal for you all to be a little nervous.
Word by Word: Is normal that be-you-all a little nervous.
The judgement is about a particular group, so the subjunctive is used.
- É unha pena que non poidas vir.
It's a shame you can't come.
Word by Word: Is a pity that not can-you come.
É unha pena que expresses a feeling about a fact and takes the subjunctive.
- É importante durmir ben.
It is important to sleep well.
Word by Word: Is important sleep well.
A judgement about everyone in general takes the infinitive, with no que.
Common Mistakes
Using the indicative after a judgement.
É importante que o saben.É importante que o saiban.É importante que gives a judgement, so the verb after it goes in the subjunctive.
Using the subjunctive after an expression of fact.
É certo que sexa así.É certo que é así.É certo que states that something is true, so it takes the indicative.
Attaching the pronoun to the end of the verb in the que clause.
É importante que sáibano.É importante que o saiban.In a clause introduced by que, the pronoun goes before the verb.
How It Connects
Learn This First
An impersonal evaluation can introduce a subjunctive clause or a general infinitive.
Related Patterns
- cómpreIt Is Necessary: Cómpre
Cómpre que is another impersonal expression that takes the subjunctive.
Level 3 - non creo que + SubjunctiveSubjunctive After Doubt and Denial
Non é certo que works like non creo que: a denial takes the subjunctive.
Level 3 - Personal Infinitive or Subjunctive
Shows when the personal infinitive can replace que + subjunctive.
Level 4 - Pronouns Before the Verb in Subordinate Clauses
Explains why the pronoun goes before the verb after que.
Level 3 - hai que + InfinitiveOne Must: Hai Que
A general obligation with the infinitive, without a particular person.
Level 2
Words in This Pattern
Practice é importante que + Subjunctive in Bubblegum
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