Subjunctive after wishes: quiero que
B1Grammar path · Lesson 45 of 86 · Stage B1 · The subjunctive
This structure lets you say what you want other people to do: asking for help, making offers or setting rules. The core idea is that there are two different subjects, the person who wants and the person who acts. You build it with quiero que plus a verb in the subjunctive: Quiero que vengas (I want you to come). Learners most often mix it up with quiero + infinitivo. If you are the one doing the action, use the infinitive, as in Quiero ir. If someone else does it, use que + subjuntivo, as in Quiero que vayas.
Practise this lesson · 9 sentences
Form
sujeto + querer + que + verbo en subjuntivono + querer + que + verbo en subjuntivo¿querer + que + verbo en subjuntivo?When to use it
Saying what you want others to do
Use it when the person who wants and the person who acts are different. The verb after que is always in the subjunctive.
Offering to do something politely
A question with ¿Quieres que...? or ¿Quieren que...? is a natural way to offer to do something for someone.
Talking about past wishes
When querer is in the past (quería, queríamos), the verb after que moves to the imperfect subjunctive.
Signal words
Don't confuse it with
Both take the subjunctive, but quiero que points to something not yet done that you want someone to do. Me alegra que is an emotional reaction to something that is or was happening: Quiero que vengas versus Me alegra que vengas.
OjaláUse quiero que when you name who wants it, usually for an action the other person can do. Ojalá is a hope with no wishing subject, often for things beyond anyone's control, as in Ojalá llueva.
Frequently asked questions
When do I use quiero que and when quiero + infinitivo?
If you do the action yourself, use the infinitive: Quiero viajar. If someone else does it, use que + subjuntivo: Quiero que viajes.
Can I say Quiero que vienes with the indicative?
No. After querer que the verb is always in the subjunctive, so you must say Quiero que vengas.
Which tense follows quería que in the past?
Use the imperfect subjunctive: Quería que vinieras.
How do I say 'I want you to...' correctly?
Do not translate word for word as quiero tú. Use quiero que + subjuntivo: Quiero que me ayudes.
Do verbs like preferir and necesitar follow the same rule?
Yes. Prefiero que and necesito que also take the subjunctive when the subjects differ: Necesito que me escuches.