Spanish 3 / Unit 2: The Present Subjunctive with Wishes and Emotions
2.5 Requests, Recommendations and Ojalá
Notes
Verbs of request and advice (the R in WEIRDO) and ojalá (the O) also take the subjunctive.
- Ojalá (que) means "I hope" / "hopefully." It is followed by the subjunctive with or without que: Ojalá (que) llueva mañana. It never changes form.
- With pedir, decir, aconsejar, recomendar, sugerir, permitir, prohibir the person receiving the request is an indirect object: Le pido a mi hermano que me ayude.
- Decir + que + indicative just reports information: Dice que tiene sueño. But decir meaning "tell someone to do something" uses the subjunctive: Dice que vengas.
- Esperar que + subjunctive: Espero que tengas un buen viaje.
- Worked example: Mis padres me prohíben que salga tarde entre semana.
Practice
Ojalá que mañana ___ (hacer) buen tiempo.
Ojalá que is always followed by the subjunctive.
¿Qué significa "Le pido a mi hermano que me ayude"?
Pedir que + subjunctive expresses a request.
El médico nos ___ que comamos menos azúcar.
Recomendar is an influence verb and takes the subjunctive (comamos). Creer, pensar and saber are followed by the indicative.
Ready for more? Take the Unit 2 test.