When an action is necessary, an impersonal expression can introduce the person who must do it.

The idea

After es necesario que, es importante que, es preciso que or hace falta que, use the subjunctive for the action. Without a named subject, use an infinitive: es necesario salir.

Examples

  • Es necesario que Marta llegue temprano al hospital.Marta needs to arrive at the hospital early.
  • Es importante que los vecinos separen el papel.It is important for the neighbours to sort the paper.
  • Hace falta que tú traigas una linterna.You need to bring a torch.
  • Es preciso que el equipo revise los datos hoy.The team needs to check the data today.
  • No es necesario que Ana compre entradas.Ana does not need to buy tickets.
  • Es necesario que ustedes estén aquí antes de las ocho.You all need to be here before eight.

Read-aloud uses a synthetic Spanish voice available on your device. Voice quality and availability vary; it does not assess your pronunciation.

Watch out

Do not use the indicative after es necesario que. Even no es necesario que takes the subjunctive.

Try it yourself

  1. Choose the correct form. Es necesario que Luis ___ la puerta. (cierre / cierra)

    Show answer or example answer

    cierre

    Cierre matches Luis and expresses the required action.

  2. Choose the correct form. Hace falta que nosotros ___ agua. (llevemos / llevamos)

    Show answer or example answer

    llevemos

    Llevemos matches the first-person plural subject.

  3. Choose the correct form. No es necesario que Elena ___ mañana. (venga / viene)

    Show answer or example answer

    venga

    Venga matches Elena; the sentence says her coming is unnecessary.

Use it today

Say what another person needs to do today.