Infinitive vs Subjunctive?

Question

Which of these sentences are correct?

I want to be happy in the future:

Quiero ser feliz en el futuro

Quiero que sea feliz en el futuro

I want my Dad to go to London:

Quiero mi padre ir a Londres

Quiero que mi padre vaya a Londres

I'm trying to use the subjunctive more and more, and I was wondering if I could use it as seen in the second and fourth sentences.

Welcome to SpanishDict. - rac1, Dec 2, 2014

Answer 1

I want to be happy in the future: Quiero ser feliz en el futuro

Quiero que sea feliz en el futuro

I want my Dad to go to London:

Quiero mi padre ir a Londres

Quiero que mi padre vaya a Londres

To my understanding: natural Spanish does not use the subjunctive when it doesn’t need to. Don't try to force it.

In the first set, the first is correct, the second could be “Quiero que yo sea feliz…” and be techinically correct according to the rules of grammar, but no one would actually say it that way. As written it would be interpreted as that you want he/she/usted to be happy in the future (presumably clearer by prior context).

In the second, the second is correct, the first is not, if you wanted to go, you would say “quiero ir a Londres”, but if you want to change the subject, you have to use que and conjugate a verb to them.

I am an intermediate level learner.

Good answer, Bosque ) - FELIZ77, Dec 3, 2014

Answer 2

Hello Gogo,

Welcome to the SpanishDict forum.?

You asked:

Which of these sentences are correct? I want to be happy in the future: Quiero ser feliz en el futuro Quiero que sea feliz en el futuro. I want my Dad to go to London: Quiero mi padre ir a Londres. Quiero que mi padre vaya a Londres. I'm trying to use the subjunctive more and more, and I was wondering if I could use it as seen in the second and fourth sentences.

You would say: I want to be happy in the future. = Quiero ser feliz en el futuro.

I want my Dad to go to London. = QuIero que mi padre vaya a Londres.

These two sentences of yours above are correct. The other two would not really be written in that way by natives. They do not use the subjunctive in that way when simply referring to themselves.

You would use the subjunctive when there are two subjects separated by the relative pronoun "que" and a different verb in each part/clause.

You do not use the subjunctive if you are only talking about what you will do in the future.

exmple 1 : I want to read my new book. = Quiero leer mi nuevo libro.

but, if you are wanting someone else to do something for you then you would ex: "Dad, I want you to read my new book to me", said the young girl. = Papa, quiero que me leas mi nuevo libro, dijo la niña pequeña.

example 2 :

I want to buy a diamond ring. = Quiero comprar un anillo diamante.

but I want you to buy me a diamond ring = Quiero que me compres (Present subjunctive) un anillo diamante.

I am also an intermediate level student.

I hope this helps.?

Corrijan mi español, por favor ?

This is my first attempt at writing a post from my smart phone ☺ - FELIZ77, Dec 3, 2014

Looks like you did a great job. :) - rac1, Dec 3, 2014

Thank you very much,Rac high lighting text in order to copy and paste was definitely the hardest part! - FELIZ77, Dec 3, 2014

Thanks for this! Cleared it up. So basically it's only used when you bring another person into the scenario. Gracias. - GogoYubari, Dec 5, 2014

Answer 3

While you are waiting for explanations to your questions, here is a link that SD provides where you can work on the subjunctive that you will find helpful.

Weekend subjunctive practice