13: Subjunctive with expressions of desire

Question 1

When expressing the desire to do something, use a verb of desire such as querer or preferir followed by an infinitive.

Answer 1

Prefiero ir a la recepción contigo.
I prefer to go to the reception with you.

Él quiere comprar un anillo para su novia.
He wants to buy a ring for his girlfriend.

Question 2

When expressing the desire for someone else to do something, you use a verb of influence plus que followed by the subjunctive.

Answer 2

Prefiero que vayas a la recepción conmigo.
I prefer (that) you go to the reception with me.

Ella quiere que su novio le compre un anillo.
She wants her boyfriend to buy a ring for her.

Question 3

Notice that when there are two different subjects and the verb of influence in the main clause is in the indicative, the verb in the second clause (dependent clause) is in the subjunctive.

Answer 3

Main clause Dependent clause
(Yo) Prefiero que (tú) vayas a la recepción conmigo.
Ella quiere que su novio le compre un anillo.

Question 4

There are other verbs besides querer and preferir that express desire or influence. These verbs also require the use of the subjunctive when there are different subjects in the two clauses.

Answer 4

desear - to desire
esperar - to hope, to wish
insistir (en) - to insist (on)
mandar - to order
necesitar - to need
pedir - to ask for, to request
recomendar - to recommend
sugerir - to suggest

Edwin espera que vayan a Puerto Rico para la luna de miel.
Edwin hopes (that) they will go to Puerto Rico for the honeymoon.

Sus padres recomiendan que viajen a México.
His parents recommend (that) they travel to Mexico.

Question 5

Ojalá is another way to express hope. This expression does not have a subject and therefore does not change forms. It always requires the use of the subjunctive in the dependent clause; however, the use of que is optional.

Answer 5

Ojalá (que) los recién casados sean muy felices.

Hopefully the newlyweds will be very happy.

Question 6

Investiguemos El Vocabulario

Answer 6

The word ojalá originated from the Arabic expression God (Allah) willing. There are many words of Arabic influence in Spanish due to the Muslim rule of Spain from 711 to 1492.