é importante que + Subjunctive

Subjuntivo Com Importância

Level 3

The expression é importante que is an impersonal trigger that requires the subjunctive mood in the following clause. It is used to state that an action is necessary or desirable, rather than a confirmed fact.

How It Works

The pattern é importante que + subjuntivo is a fundamental structure for intermediate learners. It follows a specific logic:

  • The Trigger: The phrase 'é importante que' sets the stage. Because it expresses an opinion or a necessity rather than a certainty, it 'triggers' the subjunctive.
  • The Conjunction: The word que acts as the bridge between the evaluation and the action.
  • The Mood: The verb that follows must be conjugated in the subjunctive. For example, estudar becomes estude, and fazer becomes faça.

Tense Agreement:
The tense of the subjunctive depends on the main verb:
1. Present: É importante que você estude. (It is important that you study.)
2. Past: Era importante que você estudasse. (It was important that you studied.)

In European Portuguese, you might also see the personal infinitive used to express the same idea (e.g., É importante estudares), but the 'que + subjunctive' structure remains universally correct and very common in Brazil.

Examples (4)

  1. É importante que você chegue a tempo para a reunião.

    It is important that you arrive on time for the meeting.

    Word by Word: It is important that you arrive at time for the meeting.

    The verb 'chegar' changes to 'chegue' (present subjunctive) because of the trigger 'é importante que'.

  2. Para o sucesso do projeto, é importante que todos colaborem.

    For the project's success, it is important that everyone collaborates.

    Word by Word: For the success of the project, it is important that all collaborate.

    Here, 'colaborar' is conjugated in the subjunctive to show that collaboration is a desired necessity.

  3. Era importante que eles soubessem a verdade antes de decidirem.

    It was important that they knew the truth before deciding.

    Word by Word: It was important that they knew the truth before of deciding.

    Since the main verb is in the past (era), we use the imperfect subjunctive (soubessem).

  4. É importante que nós façamos o nosso melhor.

    It is important that we do our best.

    Word by Word: It is important that we do the our best.

    Uses the irregular subjunctive form of 'fazer' (façamos).

Common Mistakes

  • Using the indicative mood instead of the subjunctive.

    É importante que você estuda muito.
    É importante que você estude muito.

    Learners often use the normal present tense (estuda), but 'é importante que' requires the subjunctive (estude) because it is a value judgment.

  • Mixing 'que' with the personal infinitive.

    É importante que nós estudarmos.
    É importante que nós estudemos.

    You cannot use 'que' and the personal infinitive together. You must either use 'que + subjunctive' or just the 'personal infinitive' without 'que'.

Words in This Pattern