je potrebné / je nutné + Infinitive

It Is Necessary: Je Potrebné

Level 5

Je potrebné / je nutné + infinitive expresses necessity in formal style. The adjective is neuter (-é) because the infinitive is the subject. For the past use bolo, for the future bude.

How It Works

The pattern. je potrebné (it is necessary) and je nutné (it is essential) take an infinitive. The adjective is always neuter, because the infinitive acts as the subject:

  • Je potrebné vyplniť formulár. (The form must be filled in.)
  • Je nutné konať rýchlo. (It is essential to act quickly.)

Tenses. Change only the form of byť: Bolo nutné zavolať záchranku. (It was necessary to call an ambulance.) Bude potrebné nájsť iné riešenie. (It will be necessary to find another solution.)

Naming the person. To say who must act, use an aby clause: Je potrebné, aby ste prišli včas. (You need to arrive on time.)

With a noun. With a noun subject, the adjective agrees with it: Je potrebná zmena. (A change is needed.) Sú potrebné nové pravidlá. (New rules are needed.)

Not je treba. Treba already means it is necessary and stands without je: Treba vyplniť formulár. The mixed form je treba is common in speech, but Slovak language advisers treat it as non-standard. Choose treba or je potrebné.

Negation. Nie je potrebné / nutné means there is no need: Nie je nutné prísť osobne. To forbid something, use nesmieť: Tu sa nesmie fajčiť.

Examples (6)

  1. Je potrebné vyplniť formulár.

    The form must be filled in.

    Word by Word: Is necessary to-fill-in form.

  2. Nie je nutné prísť osobne.

    It is not necessary to come in person.

    Word by Word: Not is necessary to-come personally.

  3. Pred cestou je potrebné skontrolovať platnosť pasu.

    Before the trip, you need to check that your passport is valid.

    Word by Word: Before trip is necessary to-check validity of-passport.

  4. Bolo nutné zavolať záchranku.

    It was necessary to call an ambulance.

    Word by Word: Was necessary to-call ambulance.

  5. Bude potrebné nájsť iné riešenie.

    It will be necessary to find another solution.

    Word by Word: Will-be necessary to-find other solution.

  6. Je potrebné, aby ste prišli včas.

    You need to arrive on time.

    Word by Word: Is necessary so-that you came on-time.

    With aby, the sentence can name who must act.

Common Mistakes

  • Using je treba.

    Je treba vyplniť formulár.
    Je potrebné vyplniť formulár.

    Treba stands without je: Treba vyplniť formulár. If you want je, use je potrebné. Je treba is treated as non-standard.

  • Using a masculine adjective with an infinitive.

    Je potrebný vyplniť formulár.
    Je potrebné vyplniť formulár.

    With an infinitive the adjective is neuter: potrebné, nutné.

  • Using nie je potrebné to forbid something (intended: You must not smoke here).

    Tu nie je potrebné fajčiť.
    Tu sa nesmie fajčiť.

    Nie je potrebné only says there is no need. For a ban, use nesmieť.

How It Connects

Tap a pattern to see what it builds on and what it leads to.

je potrebné / je nutné + InfinitiveLevel 5It Is Necessary: Je Potrebné

Learn This First

Before It Is Necessary: je potrebné, learn It Is Necessary: treba. je potrebné is a formal version of treba.

Words in This Pattern

potrebnýnutný