Using Subjunctive with Ser

This grammar pattern usually starts with es (it is). You then add an adjective like bueno (good) or importante (important). After that, you add que (that). This little word que is like a bridge. It connects your opinion to the action that follows. Once you cross that bridge, you enter the "Subjunctive Zone." In this zone, verbs change their endings. Why? Because you aren't saying something is definitely happening. You are saying it is *good* or *bad* that it happens. It is about the *idea* of the action, not the cold hard truth. Imagine a grammar traffic light. The green light is the indicative (facts). The yellow light is the subjunctive (feelings and possibilities). We are hanging out in the yellow light today. It’s a bit more relaxed and much more expressive.

1. 1Building these sentences is like following a recipe. You only need four main ingredients. Follow these steps to cook up a perfect Spanish sentence:
2. 2Start with the verb ser. For these phrases, we almost always use es (it is).
3. 3Add an adjective or a noun phrase. Common ones are bueno, malo, importante, or una lástima.
4. 4Place the word que immediately after the adjective.
5. 5Change the second verb into the subjunctive form.
6. 6To make a regular verb subjunctive, follow the "opposite ending" rule. For -ar verbs, use -er style endings (like -e). For -er and -ir verbs, use -ar style endings (like -a). For example, hablar becomes hable and comer becomes coma. Yes, it feels a bit backwards at first! Think of it like a secret handshake. Once you know the trick, you're in the club. If you're talking to a friend about dinner, you might say: Es mejor que comamos ahora. See? Easy as pie.

You use this pattern whenever you want to give an impersonal opinion. It’s "impersonal" because you aren't saying "I think." You are saying "It is..." This makes your statement feel a bit more universal. Use it for:

• Necessity: When something needs to happen. Es necesario que estudies (It is necessary that you study).
• Opinions: When you think something is good or bad. Es bueno que hagas ejercicio (It is good that you exercise).
• Possibility: When something might happen. Es posible que llueva (It is possible that it rains).
• Emotions: When you feel a certain way about a situation. Es una pena que no vengas (It is a shame that you aren't coming).

Imagine you are at a job interview. You want to sound polite but firm. You could say, Es importante que la empresa crezca (It is important that the company grows). It sounds much more professional than just saying "The company grows."

This is where many people get tripped up. Don't worry, it happens to the best of us! You do not use the subjunctive if you are expressing certainty or facts. If you are 100% sure, stay in the Indicative Zone. Common "Certainty Triggers" include:

• Es verdad que... (It is true that...)
• Es cierto que... (It is certain that...)
• Es evidente que... (It is evident that...)
• Es obvio que... (It is obvious that...)

Also, if there is no que, you don't need the subjunctive. If you are speaking generally without a specific person in mind, use the infinitive. For example: Es bueno comer fruta (It is good to eat fruit). There is no bridge (que), so there is no "Subjunctive Zone." Think of que as the toll booth. If you don't pay the toll, you stay on the main road (the infinitive).

Even native speakers mess this up sometimes, so don't beat yourself up! The most common mistake is forgetting the que. Without it, the sentence falls apart. Another big one is using the indicative when you should use the subjunctive. People often say Es bueno que vienes instead of Es bueno que vengas. It sounds a bit "off" to a Spanish ear, like saying "It is good that you comes."

Another mistake is using the subjunctive with Es verdad. Remember: truth equals indicative. If you say Es verdad que él esté aquí, you are confusing your listener. Are you sure he's here, or is it just a vibe? Stick to the facts with Es verdad. Lastly, don't overthink the verb endings. If you forget the exact form, just try the "opposite ending" trick. Most of the time, you'll be right! It’s like guessing the password to a Wi-Fi network—sometimes you just have to try a few variations.

It is helpful to compare the subjunctive with the indicative side-by-side. Think of the Indicative as a camera taking a photo. It shows exactly what is there. Es verdad que Juan estudia (It is true that Juan studies). The Subjunctive is like a painting. It shows how the artist *feels* about the scene. Es importante que Juan estudie (It is important that Juan studies).

Also, compare it to the Infinitive. Use the Infinitive for general statements: Es difícil aprender chino. Use the Subjunctive for specific people: Es difícil que tú aprendas chino. The first one is a general fact about the language. The second one is a specific opinion about *your* struggle. It’s the difference between saying "Pizza is good" and "It is good that you brought pizza."