es lógico que + subjuntivo

There are several factors to take into consideration when it comes to choosing the correct mode after the construction 'ser/parecer/resultar/etc. + adjetivo/sustantivo +que:

1) The indicative is used following adjectives and nouns of certainty (in affirmative); here, the main intention is to declare the truth of the information in the subordinate clause.

-Es/ Me parece obvio/ evidente/ de cajón que miente

→Es una obviedad que miente

 

-Es cierto/ verdad/ indudable/ innegable/ indiscutible/ irrefutable/ incuestionable que existe vida en otros planetas

→Es una certeza/verdad que existe

→→Me consta que existe [See constar que]

 

-Queda/Está claro/demostrado que es culpable [Véase ser/estar claro]

→Es un hecho/ una realidad que es culpable

2) The subjunctive is used following expressions of emotional reaction or value judgments (which account for the vast majority of cases); here, the main intention is to comment on the information considered already topical, regardless of whether it is true or not.

-Es lamentable que mienta tanto [Here it's taken as a pre-established fact that he lies -verbo factivo]

→Es una pena que mienta tanto

→→Lamento/Siento que mienta tanto [See sentir que+modo]

 

-Es una alegría que haya vuelto

→ Me alegro de que haya vuelto [See alegrarse de que]

 

-Es absurdo que vaya solo

→Es una tontería que vaya solo [Here we do not know whether he is going alone; the main intention is to comment on the stupidity of the idea of it]

3) Sometimes the value judgment isn't so easily identified, such as the case of the adjective 'lógico', which tends to confuse learners since it sounds like the assertion of a fact. However, on closer inspection you realize that it is primarily commenting on the reasonableness of a proposition, rather than asserting it as a fact.

-Me parece lógico que esté enfadado contigo [≈No me extraña]

-Es natural/ normal/ comprensible que no quiera venir después de lo ocurrido

→Entiendo/ Comprendo que esté enfadado contigo, después de lo que le hiciste

→→Entiendo que está enfadado contigo; ánimo [See entender que+indicativo/subjuntivo]

 

-Es de cajón que mentía [≈Es obvio]

→Era de cajón que mintiera [≈Era natural, previsible-¹]

4) As discussed previously, in Spanish the word-order is often inverted, shifting the 'that-clause' to the beginning of the sentence, especially when the information is considered topical. In English, this construction is considerably less common in everyday speech, although not impossible. In modern English we usually prefer the phrase 'the fact that' when used at the head of the sentence.

-Es evidente que hay demasiada gente

→Que hay demasiada gente es evidente

 

-Está claro que miente

→Que miente está claro

 

-Es lamentable (el) que mienta tanto

→Es lamentable el hecho de que mienta tanto

→→(El) que mienta tanto es lamentable

→→→El hecho de que mienta tanto es lamentable

5) As discussed previously, the construction 'lo+adjetivo+ es que' can often be followed by both the subjunctive and the indicative, depending on the context and intended meaning.

-Es bueno que coma mucho pescado [Whether or not he eats the fish is irrelevant; the main intention is to comment on the idea]

→Lo bueno es que come mucho pescado [The main intention is to affirm or inform that 'he eats a lot of fish']

 

-Es interesante que hable francés [In this kind of statement, the main intention is to comment on this fact, considered to be already known by the listener (información consabida) -see tema and rema]

→Lo interesante es que habla francés [Informing or affirming this fact]

→→Lo interesante es que hable francés [Possibly a desire]

6) Remember, when negating these expressions the subjunctive is called for –except when used in the interrogation.

-Te parece obvio que hay corrupción en el partido

→No te parece obvio que haya corrupción en el partido

→→¿No te parece obvio que hay corrupción en el partido?

7) As discussed previously, constructions of the type 'sustantivo+ de que' tend to be followed by the subjunctive. In most of these constructions, the information in the subordinate noun clause is presented as topical, i.e. already known by the listener.

-Ese ese el motivo de que no tenga novia [Cause effect element as well as topicalness]

-Esa es la explicación de que llegara tarde

→Eso explica que llegara tarde

8) As discussed previously, there are several verbs of apparent emotional response which can be followed by the indicative and the subjunctive, most notably quejarse de and echar en cara.

-Juan se queja de que los vecinos no recogen la mierda de su perro ['Quejarse de que' is occasionally followed by the subjunctive]

-En la reunión le echó en cara que no recogía la mierda de su perro ['Echar en cara' is mainly a verb of communication when used with the indicative --less common]

→-En la reunión le echó en cara que no recogiera la mierda de su perro ['Echar en cara' is mainly a verb of emotional reaction when followed by the subjunctive- most common]

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-es lógico que + subjuntivo-