Quisiera que me amaras

Question

I wonder why this uses imperfect subjunctive and not "Quisiera qué me ames". Any reason? Gracias.

Why the accent mark on the que? - 0074b507, Jun 4, 2010

My bad, Q. My bad. - jeezzle, Jun 4, 2010

Answer 1

Jeezle, either way is grammatically acceptable. "Quisiera que me amaras" is more wistful. I suppose - somewhat like :I wish that you would love me", whereas "quisiera que me ames" is more along the lines of "I wish that you loved me", or "I would like for you to love me". I know, it's a case of hair-splitting.

Do a google search, and you'll find plenty of hits for both.

Answer 2

I was taught that "quisiera" is a polite way of saying " I'd like" rather than " I want" (for example when ordering in restaurants)

Answer 3

Because tenses usually match; past tenses call for other pasts tenses.

For this reason one says the following: Te dije que te callaras. Te digo que te calles.

I just rarely hear the imp. subjunctive used. - jeezzle, Jun 4, 2010

Yes Dandi I would have said something along simiiliar lines myself Paralee showed examples where, if the ver in the first part of the subjunctive was past tense the second part must match it and be in past tense - FELIZ77, Jun 4, 2010

first part of the subjunctive clause I mean - FELIZ77, Jun 4, 2010

Answer 4

It needs only one tiny diacritical marking (accent to y'all) and it becomes a simple, easily comprehended future.

"Quisiera qué me amarás"

...and for your remaining two wishes??

Answer 5

The imperfect subjunctive also indicates unlikely events. The example on Spanishdict was something similar to "Ojalá que nevara en California mañana."

Answer 6

Valerie: Sure it is used to mean that I would like : Quisiera pedir algo..... but it is really from querer and I take it as "I would desire" in a polite way = "I want" "I would want" "I would like" "I wish to" etc....