220 PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT Spanish Verb Tenses

Impersonal opinionAn impersonal opinion in the main clause that expresses emotion, uncertainty, unreality, or an indirect or implied command sets up the need for the subjunctive in the subordinate clause.

Several common impersonal expressions that convey this type of impersonal opinion are listed below. Each expression follows the pattern impersonal expression + que (impersonal expres-sion + “that”). For each of these expressions, que introduces a subordinate clause that contains a verb in the subjunctive.

VOCABULARIO

conviene que it is advisable thates fantástico que it is fantastic thates importante que it is important thates imposible que it is impossible thates increíble que it is incredible thates (una) lástima que it is a pity that, it is a shame thates mejor que it is better thates necesario que it is necessary thates posible que it is possible thates preferible que it is preferable thates probable que it is probable thates ridículo que it is ridiculous thates terrible que it is terrible thatmás vale que it is better thatojalá (que) I hope (that), if only he/it/they/etc. would/could/might, God willing (that)puede ser que it may be that

Es una lástima que yo esté enfermo. It’s a pity that I’m sick.Es mejor que comamos el apio. It’s better that we eat the celery. or It’s better for us to eat the celery.Es necesario que te vayas ahora. It is necessary that you go now. or It is necessary for you to go now.Es importante que miréis este programa. It’s important that you all watch this program.Ojalá que no llueva mañana. I hope it doesn’t rain tomorrow.Conviene que ellos sepan su dirección. It’s advisable that they know their address.

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The present subjunctive 221

20·6EJERCICIO

Traducción

1. It’s better that we eat in the kitchen.

2. It’s necessary for you to call them tomorrow.

3. It’s preferable that you buy the eggs by the dozen (por docenas).

4. It’s unlikely that they’ll be ready by !ve o’clock.

5. It’s advisable that you [formal] have an attorney (el abogado) with you.

6. It’s important that no one know that secret.

7. It may be that Alice doesn’t work here anymore (ya no).

8. It’s ridiculous that so many politicians (el político) don’t tell the truth.

9. It’s impossible for me to be in two places at the same time (al mismo tiempo).

10. It’s incredible that he speaks twelve languages (el idioma).

11. It’s a shame that ice cream has so many calories (la caloría).

12. If only (Ojalá) Jane wouldn’t sing at (en) the wedding (la boda).

13. It’s fantastic that we don’t have to sit next to (al lado de) them [m.].

14. It may be that Steven isn’t what (lo que) he says he is.

15. It’s impossible for me to remain (quedarse) in this room one more minute.

Impersonal opinionAn impersonal opinion in the main clause that expresses emotion, uncertainty, unreality, or an indirect or implied command sets up the need for the subjunctive in the subordinate clause.

Several common impersonal expressions that convey this type of impersonal opinion are listed below. Each expression follows the pattern impersonal expression + que (impersonal expres-sion + “that”). For each of these expressions, que introduces a subordinate clause that contains a verb in the subjunctive.

VOCABULARIO

conviene que it is advisable thates fantástico que it is fantastic thates importante que it is important thates imposible que it is impossible thates increíble que it is incredible thates (una) lástima que it is a pity that, it is a shame thates mejor que it is better thates necesario que it is necessary thates posible que it is possible thates preferible que it is preferable thates probable que it is probable thates ridículo que it is ridiculous thates terrible que it is terrible thatmás vale que it is better thatojalá (que) I hope (that), if only he/it/they/etc. would/could/might, God willing (that)puede ser que it may be that

Es una lástima que yo esté enfermo. It’s a pity that I’m sick.Es mejor que comamos el apio. It’s better that we eat the celery. or It’s better for us to eat the celery.Es necesario que te vayas ahora. It is necessary that you go now. or It is necessary for you to go now.Es importante que miréis este programa. It’s important that you all watch this program.Ojalá que no llueva mañana. I hope it doesn’t rain tomorrow.Conviene que ellos sepan su dirección. It’s advisable that they know their address.

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222 PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT Spanish Verb Tenses

20·7EJERCICIO

Traducción Verbs in bold italic are in the present subjunctive.

VOCABULARIO el cochino slob desordenado messy el folleto pamphlet imponer to enforce ordenado neat la regla rule el reglamento regulation la reunión meeting la sala de juntas boardroom no tener nada que ver con to have nothing to do with quedarse de brazos cruzados to twiddle one’s thumbs

Last night for the !rst time I read the rules and regulations of the company where I have worked for six years. It’s possible that I am the only person who has read this pamphlet. There are so many absurd rules. For example, it’s ridiculous that we should keep our desks neat at all times. It’s better that a person have the freedom to be a slob if that is what he/she needs in order to work well. Also, it’s incredible that we have to attend all meetings, including the ones that have nothing to do with our own work (nobody ever goes to these meetings). It’s better that we work at a messy desk than attend a meeting in a neat boardroom and twiddle our thumbs. If only no one would enforce these rules!

Uncompleted actionWhen the action of the subordinate clause is pending or inde#nite, the verb in the subordinate clause will be in the subjunctive. For example, in the sentence “I’ll speak with John when he ar-rives,” you may believe with all your heart that John will arrive, but until you see the whites of his eyes, you cannot know this for certain.

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