Is this fair to say ?

Question

I'm having a hard time conceptualizing the "Querer que" construction and the best I have came up with is " You use it when you or somebody wants for something for somebody else". This my seem verbose, if so, sorry. Any advice with this construction is greatly needed. Thanks !

I know you use the subjunctive after it, I don't know if you can use it when you talk about yourself, come to think of it. - rabbitwho, Sep 4, 2011

I think logically you can't use it talking about yourself. But i'll wait for someone else to answer! - rabbitwho, Sep 4, 2011

Answer 1

Hi Mimi,

OK, let me try to explain it this way. Sometimes it's helpful to translate literally.

"Querer que" = "To want that"

"Quiero que abras la ventana." = I want that you open the window (ie, I want you to open the window).

This construction is used, as you explained, when the subject of "querer" - in this case I - is different from the subject doing the desired action. If the subjects of "to want" and the desired action are the same, you use Querer + infinitive:

Quiero abrir la ventana. = I want to open the window. (The person who wants to open the window is the same person who is going to do the opening.)

Going back to the first example, when the subjects of "querer" and the subject doing the desired action are different, we use the subjunctive mood for the second verb, because verbs of desire or emotion (like querer) take the subjunctive.

Hence, "Quiere que abras" (abras is the present subjunctive), not "Quiero que abres (where abres is in the indicative mood.)

I hope this heps.

Dang good explanation, Jeremias!!! Why, by golly, I may at least have this one tiny part of the language down -- thanks to you! - territurtle, Sep 4, 2011

I like this thanks - Politically_Correct1, Sep 5, 2011

No hay de que, Terri and Mimi. "Poco a poco." - Jeremias, Sep 5, 2011

Answer 2

You are talking about using querer que in usages concerning volition or will. Just to add to the topic look at querer que used in a different context (adjective clauses).

Verbs like buscar, deber, necesitar, and querer commonly require the subjunctive. Whether or not to use it depends on the speaker's perception of reality.

Quiero el perro que tiene ojos negros. I want the dog that has black eyes. (It's sitting right here.

Quiero un perro que esté domesticado. I want a dog that is housebroken. (I haven't found it yet.)

I only mention it because your question seemed to imply that querer que is always used to express volition.

Volition (willpower) means wanting, ordering, demanding, preferring, wishing or telling someone else to do something.

Quiero que Keanu salga conmigo. I want Keanu to go out with me.

Answer 3

Comparing language structures is the kiss of death. It's better to just accept how a language is used without all the comparisons.

"Quiero que me escuches" ....... "I want you to listen to me."

If you try to translate word for word, in most cases it will sound rediculous.

Great advice, Julian. - SpanishPal, Sep 4, 2011

I would translate it as "I want that you listen to me" that way it's subjunctive in English too. "I want that he listen to me." and it's really easy to remember. - rabbitwho, Sep 4, 2011