Can "querer" ever be used to trigger the subjunctive?
I thought "querer" -- to want was like "desear" to want and "esperar" to hope. I know the last two trigger the subjunctive, but several answers indicate "querer" do not.
My question: Is there ever a time "querer" can trigger the subjunctive and can you provide a link or example?
5 Answers
Yes, all the time.
When you want someone to do something, querer is followed by the subjunctive.
Quiero que me digas la verdad.
I want you to tell me the truth.
Quería que me dijeras la verdad.
I wanted you to tell me the truth.
Quisiera que me dijeras la verdad.
I would like you to tell me the truth.
It is not used when the subject doesn't change.
Quiero ir a la playa.
¿Querías comprar algo?
Sure, it's one of the most common verbs to be followed by the subjunctive.
Rather than thinking of it triggering the subjunctive however it might be better to understand what the subjunctive is for. Among other things, you need it when one person states their desire, their wish, their demand etc that someone else do something.
The thing wished for, wanted, demanded etc can't be in the indicative because it hasn't happened and we don't know if it will so the subjunctive is used.
The magic formula!
Remember that if the sentence has a verb that involves wishing, wanting, desiring, demanding etc plus que plus a change of subject and another verb, it will need the subjunctive for the verb in the second clause.
(btw in the link you have now posted you will see that the magic formula isn't there so no need for the subjunctive.)
Eg> Quiero (1st subject) + que + mi familia (change of subject) y la vida de mis hijos mejoren. (subjunctive)
Quiero que mis hijos experimenten el medio ambiente como yo. etc
This works in all tenses but the subjunctive must change tense too where necessary.
Sólo quería que supieras lo mucho que valoramos su trabajo duro.
Just wanted you to know how much we value their hard work.
If there's no change of subject you just follow the first verb with the infinitive.
Quiero verte. I want to see you.
In my link the guy himself was wanting the room size to be smaller so a 2nd person was never involved nor a change of subject?
With your link the guy actually wanted to reduce the size of his room so there's only one subject - him wanting to reduce ... not him wanting some one else to reduce the size of the room ... and not him wanting the room to be reduced in size (which would also be a change in subject).
No change of subject - use the infinitive:
Quería reducir el tamaño de su habitación.
He wanted to reduce the size of his room.
Verb of desire + que + change of subject - use the subjunctive:
Quería que el obrero reduzca el tamaño de su habitacíon.
He wanted the workman to reduce the size of his room.
Quería que se redujera el tamaño de su cuarto.
He wanted the size of his room reduced. (lit. he wanted 'one' (who knows who but not him) to reduce the size of his room.)
Just as Kiwi says, it's very common in everyday usage.
Quiero que limipes tu habitación. (I want you to clean your room)
You need it when one person states their desire, their wish, their demand etc that someone else do something.
I'm just beginning to delve into the subjunctive more. What I really liked is the information about one person's desire, want, need, wish, etc. affecting a person. (That's the change of subject?)
In my link the guy himself was wanting the room size to be smaller so a 2nd person was never involved nor a change of subject?
These are wonderful subjunctive examples for a beginner like me!
Thank you all so much!
