¡Hola! We're nearing the end of our WEIRDO acronym for subjunctive triggers. In this chapter, we'll focus on the final categories: Doubt/Denial/Disbelief and Ojalá (que). These expressions strongly signal subjectivity and the need for the subjunctive mood in the dependent "que" clause.
By the end of this chapter, you will be able to:
When we express doubt about something or deny its reality, we are moving away from factual statements and into the realm of subjectivity, which is where the subjunctive shines. Similarly, "Ojalá" is a powerful expression of hope that inherently deals with something not yet realized.
(Optional Review): Conjugate "tener" in the present subjunctive (tenga, tengas, tenga...). What about "ser"? (sea, seas, sea...). We'll need these for our examples!
When the main clause expresses doubt, denial, disbelief, or uncertainty about the action or state in the subordinate "que" clause, the verb in that subordinate clause is in the subjunctive.
Examples:
Important Contrast: Certainty/Belief (Affirmative) = Indicative
If the main clause expresses certainty or belief (i.e., the affirmative forms of the verbs above, or expressions like "es verdad que"), the indicative mood is used in the "que" clause because you are stating something you believe to be a fact.
So, "no creer que..." takes subjunctive, but "creer que..." takes indicative.
Ojalá (que) is a very common expression that means "I hope (that)...", "If only...", or "God willing...". It always introduces a strong wish or hope about something that is uncertain or not yet a reality, and it is **always followed by the subjunctive**.
The "que" is optional with Ojalá but often included.
Examples:
Master subjunctive with doubt, denial, and Ojalá.
Import Chapter 43 Flashcards(Requires login to import/study)
Instructions: Based on the main clause, decide if the verb in parentheses should be in the Subjunctive or Indicative. (You don't need to conjugate yet, just decide the mood).
Answer Key:
Instructions: Complete the sentences with the correct present subjunctive form of the verb in parentheses.
Answer Key:
Instructions: Express the following hopes using "Ojalá que..." and the present subjunctive.
Answer Key:
Instructions: In pairs, take turns sharing one doubt you have about something (using "Dudo que..." or "No creo que...") and one hope you have (using "Ojalá que..." or "Espero que..."). Your partner can react or share their own.
The use of "Ojalá (que)" followed by the subjunctive is a particularly expressive feature in Spanish, deeply rooted in history (from Arabic "law sha'a Allah" - "if God should will"). It carries a weight of hope, desire, and sometimes a touch of fatalism or resignation to forces beyond one's control. You'll hear "¡Ojalá!" used frequently in everyday conversation to express fervent wishes about the future, from hoping for good weather ("¡Ojalá no llueva!") to more significant life events.
Similarly, expressions of doubt and denial using the subjunctive reflect how uncertainty is navigated in conversation. While directness varies, the subjunctive allows for a nuanced way to express that one doesn't perceive something as a certainty or fact, without necessarily causing direct confrontation. It's part of the linguistic toolkit for expressing a personal, subjective stance towards information or events, which is common in relational cultures where maintaining a degree of indirectness or politeness around potentially contentious statements can be valued.
Think of it as a spectrum:
Ojalá (que) is a very strong indicator of the subjunctive. It comes from Arabic ("law sha'a Allah" - "if God should will") and inherently carries a sense of desire for something that is not yet real or certain. It always takes the subjunctive.
While "esperar que" (to hope that) also takes the subjunctive for hopes, "ojalá" often expresses a more fervent or less certain wish. The "que" after "ojalá" is optional but commonly used.
Example: ¡Ojalá gane la lotería! (If only I win the lottery! / I really hope I win the lottery!)
Doubt/Denial (Subjunctive): dudar que, no creer que, no pensar que, no estar seguro de que, negar que, es dudoso que, no es verdad/cierto que.
Belief/Certainty (Indicative): creer que, pensar que, es verdad/cierto que, estar seguro de que.
Ojalá (que): Always subjunctive.
Use Present Subjunctive after expressions of doubt/denial and Ojalá. Use Indicative after expressions of certainty/belief.
¡Muy bien! You've now covered all the main WEIRDO triggers for the Present Subjunctive. This is a huge step! In the next chapter, we'll explore how certain conjunctions (connecting words related to time, purpose, condition, etc.) also require the subjunctive when they introduce uncertainty or a future/unfulfilled action. This will further expand your ability to create complex and nuanced sentences.