These structures are extremely common in both spoken and written Spanish. We use them to express opinions, make general statements, describe situations, or give evaluations without clearly stating who performs the action.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We do something similar in English when we say: \u201cIt\u2019s clear that\u2026\u201d, \u201cIt\u2019s possible that\u2026\u201d, \u201cPeople say that\u2026\u201d. In Spanish, these constructions follow specific rules, especially when it comes to choosing between the indicative and the subjunctive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In this article, we\u2019ll look at how impersonal expressions<\/strong> work, when to use different verb moods, and the main structures that allow you to speak without an explicit subject.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Impersonal expressions are structures in which the subject is either not expressed or not relevant. The focus is not on who performs the action, but on the information being conveyed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The most typical structure is:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Ser \/ Estar \/ Parecer + adjective (or expression) + que + verb<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n – Es seguro que ma\u00f1ana empiezan las clases. In these sentences, there is no specific subject. Instead, they express a general viewpoint, an observation, or an evaluation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n One of the most important aspects of impersonal expressions is choosing between the indicative and the subjunctive. This choice depends less on grammar and more on the type of information you want to convey.<\/p>\n\n\n\n When presenting a fact as certain, evident, or verified, the indicative is used.<\/p>\n\n\n\n When expressing a judgment, evaluation, or personal reaction, the subjunctive is used.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This distinction is central in Spanish and allows you to communicate your attitude toward what you\u2019re saying with precision.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Impersonal expressions followed by the indicative are used when the information is considered objective, evident, or certain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Some of the most common include: es seguro que, es cierto que, est\u00e1 claro que, est\u00e1 comprobado que, me parece evidente que.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Here are a few examples:<\/p>\n\n\n\n – Es obvio que hemos hecho algo mal. In all these cases, the speaker presents the information as a fact or as highly probable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n When these same expressions are negated, the meaning of the sentence changes. It\u2019s no longer about certainty, but about doubt or an unconfirmed possibility. For this reason, the subjunctive is used.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Examples make this shift clear:<\/p>\n\n\n\n – No es seguro que ma\u00f1ana empiecen las clases. The switch from indicative to subjunctive is not mechanical\u2014it reflects a change in how the information is presented.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The subjunctive is also used when expressing a personal judgment, evaluation, or emotional reaction. In these cases, the information is not presented as objective, but as a subjective interpretation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Common expressions include: es normal que, es l\u00f3gico que, es incre\u00edble que, es horrible que, est\u00e1 bien que, me parece intolerable que.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Some examples:<\/p>\n\n\n\n – Es normal que est\u00e9s asustado. In these sentences, the focus is not on the fact itself, but on the speaker\u2019s evaluation of it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In addition to expressions with ser, estar<\/em>, and parecer<\/em>, Spanish offers several other ways to build impersonal sentences. These are very common in real-life language and help you sound more natural and fluent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n One way is to use the verb in the third person plural without specifying the subject. This assigns the action to an undefined agent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n – \u00bfQu\u00e9 ponen en el cine Victoria? This construction is similar to English \u201cthey say\u2026\u201d or \u201cthey\u2019ve decided\u2026\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Another very common structure uses se <\/em>followed by a verb in the third person singular or plural. In these cases, the sentence takes on a passive or impersonal meaning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n – Se vende coche a buen precio. This structure is extremely common in everyday Spanish, especially in practical or informational contexts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You can turn an active sentence into an impersonal one by removing the subject, adding se<\/em>, and adjusting the verb:<\/p>\n\n\n\n – Los espa\u00f1oles cenan muy tarde. \u2192 En Espa\u00f1a se cena muy tarde.<\/mark><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Watch out for a common mistake: when the direct object is a person introduced by a<\/em>, the verb stays in the singular.<\/p>\n\n\n\n – Se recibi\u00f3 a los deportistas con entusiasmo.<\/mark><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n This detail is important and can easily lead to errors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Spanish often uses the second person singular to express general ideas. In this case, the pronoun doesn\u2019t refer to a specific person, but to people in general.<\/p>\n\n\n\n – Si viajas solo tienes m\u00e1s libertad. This structure is very natural in spoken language and has a direct equivalent in English (\u201cwhen you travel\u2026\u201d, \u201cwhen you drive\u2026\u201d).<\/p>\n\n\n\n Another way to express generality is by using expressions like la gente<\/em> or todo el mundo<\/em>. In these cases, the speaker distances themselves from the statement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n – La gente es muy desordenada. These structures are useful for making general statements without directly involving yourself or the listener.<\/p>\n\n\n\n To use impersonal expressions correctly, it\u2019s essential to distinguish the type of information you want to convey.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Expressions that indicate certainty, evidence, or factual statements use the indicative.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Expressions that convey judgment, opinion, or reaction require the subjunctive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n When a sentence expressing certainty is negated, the verb shifts to the subjunctive because the content is no longer presented as certain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Alongside these, there are other common impersonal forms, such as the third person plural, impersonal se<\/em>, the second person singular with general meaning, and expressions like la gente <\/em>and todo el mundo<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Impersonal expressions are essential for making your Spanish sound more natural and closer to real-life usage. They allow you to avoid overly direct sentences, express opinions more subtly, and build smoother discourse.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Without these structures, you risk producing sentences that are grammatically correct but unnatural or overly simple.<\/p>\n\n\n\n On the other hand, mastering impersonal expressions helps you communicate more precisely and confidently, especially when expressing opinions, doubts, or evaluations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n To get a complete and easy-to-reference overview, you can use the grammar sheet dedicated to the expresiones impersonales<\/em><\/a> in the Sillabi resources.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It\u2019s a useful tool for reviewing structures, revisiting examples, and clearing up any doubts while studying.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Knowing the rules is just the first step. To actually use these structures when speaking, you need guided practice and a path that helps you apply them in real contexts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you want to improve your fluency, feel more confident using the indicative and subjunctive, and build more natural sentences, check out the course \u00a1Ojal\u00e1!<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It\u2019s a clear, structured, and progressive program designed to help you develop real Spanish skills through explanations, exercises, and practical activities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.sillabi.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Articolo-ES-1024x538.png\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n1. What are impersonal expressions?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
– Est\u00e1 claro que nos gustar\u00eda ayudar.
– Me parece evidente que est\u00e1is mintiendo.<\/mark><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n2. Indicative or subjunctive: the key difference<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
3. Impersonal expressions with the indicative<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
– Es cierto que ganaremos dinero con este negocio.
– Est\u00e1 comprobado que el fuego fue provocado.<\/mark><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n4. Negation and the shift to the subjunctive<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
– No es obvio que hayamos hecho algo mal.
– No es cierto que ganemos dinero con este negocio.<\/mark><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n5. Impersonal expressions with the subjunctive<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
– Es l\u00f3gico que no quiera venir despu\u00e9s de lo que pas\u00f3.
– Es horrible que haya tanta violencia en el mundo.<\/em><\/mark><\/p>\n\n\n\n6. Other impersonal structures in Spanish<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
6.1 Verb in the third person plural<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
– Van a subir los impuestos.<\/mark><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n6.2 Using impersonal \u201cse<\/em>\u201d<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
– Se hacen fotocopias a color.<\/mark><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n6.3 Second person singular with general meaning<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
– Cuando conduces debes ser muy prudente.<\/mark><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n6.4 Using \u201cla gente<\/em>\u201d and \u201ctodo el mundo<\/em>\u201d<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
– Todo el mundo sabe la verdad.<\/mark><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n7. Summary<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
8. Why are they so important?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
9. Want to go further?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
10. Ready to take your Spanish to the next level?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n