Impersonal value judgments
When you make a value judgment using an impersonal phrase, Spanish requires the subjunctive. These phrases don't have a specific subject (like I or you) and usually start with es (it is) followed by an adjective.
Common triggers include es lógico (it is logical), es normal (it is normal), and es importante (it is important).
To form these sentences, use the impersonal phrase + que + the new subject and a subjunctive verb.
| It is normal that the production process fails sometimes. | Es normal que el proceso de producción falle a veces. |
| It is important that someone checks each piece. | Es importante que alguien compruebe cada pieza. |
The first part of the sentence establishes the standard or judgment, while the second part describes the specific action in the subjunctive.
| It is logical that we reject the batch with defects. | Es lógico que rechacemos el lote con defectos. |
| It is logical that the piece fails if it has a defect. | Es lógico que la pieza falle si tiene un defecto. |
These structures are perfect for setting expectations, laying out rules, or discussing processes like quality control.
| It is normal that we do a quality control every day. | Es normal que hagamos un control de calidad todos los días. |
What you think of it: me parece bien / mal que
To give your opinion of what someone else does, use me parece bien or me parece mal + que + subjunctive: Me parece bien que *vengas. Me parece mal que no nos **llamen. Asking: ¿Te parece bien que salgamos a las ocho?*
