Why diga and not decir?
Can someone please explain to me why, in the sentence "qué quieres que diga", I.e, "what do you want me to say?" the imperative of decir is used, rather than the infinitive? Thanks.
1 Answer
Hello Ukali,
Welcome to the SpanishDict forum. 
You asked:
Can someone please explain to me why, in the sentence "qué quieres que diga", I.e, "what do you want me to say?" the imperative of decir is used, rather than the infinitive? Thanks.
Firstly, just to help you, it should be written correctly as a question, like this:
¿Qué quieres que (yo) diga? = What do you want me to say?
The reason that you must use the diga form is that you need the (present) subjunctive form of the verb here which is diga The subjunctive mood is not often used in English, except in such sentences as: If I were you, or ...if you were to find yourself in this situation, what would you do? but it is often used in Spanish.
The present subjunctive is used when you have two separate subjects, (I and you in this case) with a different verb in each part, separated by the relative pronoun que
in essence, it is saying: I want (verb 1 ) that you say (verb 2)
You would not need the present subjunctive if you simply wanted to say:
I want to say = Quiero decir
but, if you want to say: I want you to (for example) say (or buy, help, learn or any other verb) you must use the subjunctive. You have written this sentence in the present indicative where the first verb is written in the present I want (not I wanted) so the present subjunctive would be used.
By the way, the imperative or command form would not say, In English, I want you to ..etc...but, do it = házlo, tell me /say it / speak = díme etc....
I hope this helps
Corrijan mi español, por favor
