Using Subjunctive with "Ser Increí

In English, we just say, "It's incredible that you speak Spanish." The word "speak" stays the same. In Spanish, the sentence is like a two-part machine. The first part is your trigger: Es increíble que. This part sets the emotional stage. The second part is the action you are reacting to. Because Es increíble expresses a subjective feeling, the second verb cannot stay in its normal "dictionary" form (the indicative). It has to flip to the subjunctive. It's like a grammar traffic light. The phrase Es increíble que turns the light yellow, telling the next verb to proceed with caution and change its ending. If you forget to flip the verb, it sounds a bit like saying "It's incredible that you to speak Spanish"—people will understand you, but it feels a bit clunky.

1. 1Ready to build your first "incredible" sentence? Follow these three simple steps to transform your verbs:
2. 2Start with the yo form of the verb in the present tense (like hablo, como, or vivo).
3. 3Drop the -o at the end. This is your "stem."
4. 4Add the "opposite" endings. For -AR verbs, use -ER style endings. For -ER and -IR verbs, use -AR style endings.
5. 5For -AR verbs (like hablar): use -e, -es, -e, -emos, -éis, -en.
6. 6For -ER and -IR verbs (like comer or vivir): use -a, -as, -a, -amos, -áis, -an.
7. 7Example: Es increíble que tú habiles español. (Wait, that's not right! It should be hables). Let's try again: Es increíble que tú hables español. See? The -AR verb hablar took an -e ending. It’s a simple swap that makes a huge difference.

You should pull this pattern out of your pocket whenever you are genuinely surprised or impressed.

• Socializing: Use it when a friend tells you they just bought a car. ¡Es increíble que tengas un coche nuevo!
• Travel: Use it when you see the prices in a tourist trap. Es increíble que el café cueste diez euros.
• Work/School: Use it when your teammate finishes a project early. Es increíble que termines hoy.
• Daily Life: Use it for small miracles, like the bus arriving on time. Es increíble que el autobús llegue ya.

Basically, if you feel an "!" in your head, you probably need Es increíble que followed by the subjunctive. It’s your go-to tool for showing you are engaged in the conversation and not just a robot reciting a textbook.

Don't get too excited and use the subjunctive everywhere! There are two main times to avoid it:

1. 1No Change of Subject: If you are talking about yourself and there is no que, use the infinitive (the basic ar/er/ir form). Example: Es increíble viajar por España. (It's incredible to travel through Spain). You aren't saying "It's incredible that *I* travel," just that the act of traveling is incredible.
2. 2Stating Certainty: If you use a phrase like Es verdad que (It is true that) or Es cierto que (It is certain that), you stay in the normal indicative mood. Why? Because these phrases express facts, not feelings. If you use the subjunctive with Es verdad, you’ll sound like you’re doubting the very thing you just called true. Talk about a headache!

Yes, even native speakers mess this up when they are in a hurry, but you can avoid these classic traps:

• Using the Indicative: The most common mistake is saying Es increíble que tú hablas. (✗) instead of hables. (✓). Remember: Emotion = Subjunctive.
• Forgetting the "Que": In English, we can skip "that" (e.g., "It's incredible you are here"). In Spanish, you must keep the que. It’s the bridge that connects your emotion to the action.
• The "Yo" Trap: Sometimes learners think Es increíble que only applies to other people. Nope! Es increíble que yo esté aquí (It's incredible that I am here) is perfectly correct. Just make sure the verb matches whoever is doing the action.
• Overthinking: Don't freeze up trying to remember the perfect ending. If you say the wrong vowel, just smile and keep going. Communication is better than perfect silence!

To really master this, compare it to its "cousins":

• The Fact Cousin: Es obvio que tú estudias. (It's obvious you study). Use the indicative here because it's a plain observation.
• The Emotion Cousin: Me gusta que estudies. (I like that you study). Both Me gusta que and Es increíble que trigger the subjunctive because they are about *how you feel* about the study session, not just the fact that it's happening.
• The Doubt Cousin: No es verdad que estudies. (It isn't true that you study). Doubt also triggers the subjunctive.

Think of it like a grammar family tree. Es increíble que lives on the "Emotion & Reaction" branch, which is a strictly "Subjunctive Only" zone.