Reject an explanation with no es que

The idea

After no es que, use the subjunctive for the explanation being rejected; introduce the actual reason with es que or sino que.

Examples

• No es que no tenga tiempo; es que hoy necesito descansar.It is not that I have no time; I just need to rest today.
• No es que Marta rechace la idea; prefiere hablarla mañana.It is not that Marta rejects the idea; she would rather discuss it tomorrow.
• No es que el tren sea lento, sino que hace muchas paradas.It is not that the train is slow; it just makes many stops.
• No es que no nos guste el barrio; el alquiler es demasiado alto.It is not that we dislike the neighbourhood; the rent is too high.
• No es que Pedro haya olvidado la cita; se equivocó de día.It is not that Pedro forgot the appointment; he got the day wrong.
• No es que las vecinas quieran cerrar la biblioteca; piden más personal.It is not that the neighbours want to close the library; they are asking for more staff.

Watch out

Do not use the indicative in the rejected clause here; no es que no tenga does not by itself assert that there is time.

Try it yourself

1. Choose the correct form. No es que Ana ___ cansada; mañana empieza temprano. (esté / está)

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   esté

   Esté fits the rejected explanation; the real reason is the early start.

2. Choose the correct form. No es que no ___ la respuesta; las instrucciones no están claras. (sepamos / sabemos)

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   sepamos

   Sepamos refers to the rejected claim about knowledge, while the instructions are unclear.

3. Choose the correct form. No es que Luis ___ el vaso; ya estaba roto. (haya roto / ha roto)

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   haya roto

   Haya roto places the rejected event before the present explanation.

Use it today

Choose the form that completes each rejected explanation.