Using the imperfect subjunctive in Spanish with impersonal expressions in the conditional (Sería+adjective+que)

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Look at these examples of impersonal statements using the Modo subjuntivo:

Sería bueno que Carmen estudiara más.It would be good if Carmen studied more.

Sería aconsejable que todos dejáramos de fumar.It would be advisable that we all stopped smoking.

Sería genial que les tocara el premio.It would be great if they won the prize.

These sentences express an impersonal statement in the first part of each sentence:

  • conditional of ser (sería)
  • followed by an adjective (bueno, genial, aconsejable)

The subordinate clause after "que" expresses a hypothetical idea set in the future using: 

Remember:

Sería + adjective + que  then El Pretérito Imperfecto Subjuntivo

It would be incorrect to use any tense in the indicative, for example:

Sería desaconsejable que los estudiantes llevan zapatos de deporte.
Sería desaconsejable que los estudiantes llevarán zapatos de deporte.
Sería desaconsejable que los estudiantes llevarían zapatos de deporte.
Sería desaconsejable que los estudiantes llevaron zapatos de deporte.
Sería desaconsejable que los estudiantes llevaran/llevasen zapatos de deporte.

It would be unadvisable for the students to wear trainers [US: sneakers].

See also Using the Spanish subjunctive with impersonal expressions, Conjugate Spanish verbs in the Spanish imperfect subjunctive tense (El Imperfecto de Subjuntivo) and The conditional simple + que + the imperfect subjunctive in Spanish (wish, advice, feelings)

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Examples and resources

Sería bueno que Carmen estudiara más.It would be good if Carmen studied more.
Sería aconsejable que todos dejáramos de fumar.It would be advisable that we all stopped smoking.
Sería genial que les tocara el premio.It would be great if they won the prize.
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