The W and E of WEIRDO
In the previous chapter you learned the form of the present subjunctive and the WEIRDO mnemonic. Now we'll focus on two of the biggest trigger categories: Wishes (W) and Emotions (E). Together these account for a huge proportion of subjunctive use in everyday Spanish.
Wishes, wants and desires
Whenever the main clause expresses a desire for someone else to do something, the verb in the que clause goes into the subjunctive.
Common trigger verbs
| Spanish | English | Example |
|---|---|---|
| querer que | to want (that) | Quiero que vengas. - I want you to come. |
| desear que | to wish (that) | Deseo que seas feliz. - I wish you to be happy. |
| preferir que | to prefer (that) | Prefiero que hablemos en español. - I prefer we speak in Spanish. |
| necesitar que | to need (that) | Necesito que me ayudes. - I need you to help me. |
| esperar que | to hope (that) | Espero que tengan un buen viaje. - I hope they have a good trip. |
Requests and commands (R in WEIRDO)
These verbs ask or tell someone to do something - they also trigger the subjunctive:
| Spanish | English | Example |
|---|---|---|
| pedir que | to ask/request (that) | Te pido que tengas paciencia. |
| recomendar que | to recommend (that) | Recomiendo que pruebes la paella. |
| sugerir que | to suggest (that) | Sugiero que salgamos temprano. |
| decir que | to tell (someone to) | Le digo que estudie más. |
| exigir que | to demand (that) | Exijo que me digan la verdad. |
| prohibir que | to forbid (that) | Prohibo que fumen aquí. |
| permitir que | to allow (that) | No permito que los niños vean eso. |
Watch out - decir que: When decir means "to tell someone to do something" (a command), it triggers the subjunctive. When it means "to say that" (reporting a fact), it takes the indicative: Dice que viene mañana. (He says he's coming tomorrow.)
Emotions and feelings
When the main clause expresses an emotional reaction to something in the subordinate clause, the subjunctive is used.
Common trigger expressions
| Spanish | English | Example |
|---|---|---|
| alegrarse de que | to be glad that | Me alegro de que estés aquí. |
| sentir que | to be sorry that / to regret | Siento que no puedas venir. |
| tener miedo de que | to be afraid that | Tengo miedo de que llueva. |
| sorprenderse de que | to be surprised that | Me sorprende que hable tan bien. |
| molestar que | to bother (that) | Me molesta que lleguen tarde. |
| encantar que | to love (that) | Me encanta que cocines para mí. |
| preocupar que | to worry (that) | Me preocupa que no duerma bien. |
| dar pena que | to be saddened (that) | Me da pena que se vayan. |
Gustar-type verbs with the subjunctive
Notice that many emotion triggers follow the gustar pattern (me molesta, me encanta, me preocupa). The subject of the sentence is the que clause itself:
- Me gusta que haya sol. - I like that it's sunny. (lit: That there be sun pleases me.)
- Nos preocupa que no estudien. - It worries us that they don't study.
Ojalá - the wildcard
Ojalá (from Arabic, meaning "God willing") always triggers the subjunctive. It's used to express a strong hope or wish:
- Ojalá que apruebe el examen. - Hopefully I pass the exam.
- Ojalá tengamos suerte. - Let's hope we're lucky.
- Ojalá no llueva mañana. - Hopefully it doesn't rain tomorrow.
The que after ojalá is optional - both ojalá que venga and ojalá venga are correct.
Remember: same subject = infinitive
This rule from the previous chapter is critical. Compare:
| Same subject (infinitive) | Different subjects (subjunctive) |
|---|---|
| Quiero ir. (I want to go.) | Quiero que vayas. (I want you to go.) |
| Espero aprobar. (I hope to pass.) | Espero que apruebes. (I hope you pass.) |
| Siento llegar tarde. (I'm sorry to arrive late.) | Siento que llegues tarde. (I'm sorry you're arriving late.) |
Dialogue: a mother and her son
Madre: Quiero que ordenes tu habitación antes de salir.
Luis: Pero mamá, necesito irme ya. Mis amigos me esperan.
Madre: Me molesta que siempre dejes todo para el último momento.
Luis: Vale, vale. Espero que no te enfades si lo hago rápido.
Madre: Prefiero que lo hagas bien. Y te pido que vuelvas antes de las diez.
Luis: De acuerdo. Ojalá no llueva, que vamos al parque.
Translation
Mother: I want you to tidy your room before going out.
Luis: But mum, I need to go now. My friends are waiting for me.
Mother: It annoys me that you always leave everything to the last moment.
Luis: OK, OK. I hope you don't get angry if I do it quickly.
Mother: I prefer that you do it properly. And I ask you to come back before ten.
Luis: OK. Hopefully it doesn't rain - we're going to the park.
Practice
Complete with the correct subjunctive form:
- Espero que (tú / tener) _____ un buen día.
- Me alegro de que (ellos / poder) _____ venir.
- El profesor quiere que (nosotros / hacer) _____ los deberes.
- Me preocupa que (ella / no dormir) _____ bien.
- Ojalá (nosotros / encontrar) _____ una solución.
Answers
- tengas
- puedan
- hagamos
- no duerma
- encontremos
Key takeaways
- Wishes (querer, desear, preferir, esperar, necesitar) + que always trigger the subjunctive.
- Requests and commands (pedir, recomendar, sugerir, decir, exigir, prohibir) + que trigger it too.
- Emotions (alegrarse, sentir, molestar, encantar, preocupar, sorprender) + que require the subjunctive.
- Ojalá always takes the subjunctive - no exceptions.
- Same subject = infinitive. Different subjects = subjunctive.