quiero que + Subjunctive
Subjunctive with Wishes
Use 'quiero que' + subjunctive to say you want someone else to do something. The verb after 'que' changes to the subjunctive mood.
How It Works
To express a desired situation, use querer + que + subjunctive: Quiero que vengas (I want you to come). Conjugate querer for the person who wants something and the following verb for its own subject.
A subject pronoun is optional when its reference is clear: Quiero que tú hables and Quiero que hables can both mean “I want you to speak.” A desired event can also be impersonal: Quiero que llueva (I want it to rain).
When you want to perform the action yourself, the ordinary pattern is querer + infinitive: Quiero hablar (I want to speak). Compare Quiero que hables (I want you to speak).
The examples here use the present subjunctive for a current or future desired action. Other time frames can require another tense, as in Quería que vinieras (I wanted you to come). A new subject alone does not select subjunctive: compare Sé que vienes (I know you are coming), which has an indicative verb.
Examples (5)
- Quiero que vengas a mi fiesta.
I want you to come to my party.
Word by Word: I want that you come to my party.
- Mis padres quieren que yo estudie medicina.
My parents want me to study medicine.
Word by Word: My parents want that I study medicine.
- El profesor quiere que hagamos la tarea.
The teacher wants us to do the homework.
Word by Word: The teacher wants that we do the homework.
- ¿Quieres que te ayude con eso?
Do you want me to help you with that?
Word by Word: Do you want that I help you with that?
- No quiero que llegues tarde otra vez.
I don't want you to arrive late again.
Word by Word: I don't want that you arrive late again.
Common Mistakes
Using the indicative instead of the subjunctive.
Quiero que vienes a la fiesta.Quiero que vengas a la fiesta.Querer in this desire construction selects subjunctive: use vengas, not the indicative vienes.
Using an infinitive when there is a subject change.
Mi mamá quiere yo limpiar mi cuarto.Mi mamá quiere que yo limpie mi cuarto.For the intended meaning, connect the desired action with que and conjugate limpie for yo. Mi mamá quiere limpiar would instead ordinarily mean that your mother wants to do the cleaning.
How It Connects
Related Patterns
- querer + InfinitiveWant to
This is the direct contrast to 'quiero que'. You use 'querer + infinitive' when the subject does not change (i.e., the person who wants is the same person who will do the action).
Level 1 - -e/-es/-e/-emos/-éis/-enPresent Subjunctive -AR
This is the conjugation pattern for present subjunctive -AR verbs. You need to know these endings to correctly form the verb that follows 'quiero que'.
Level 3 - -a/-as/-a/-amos/-áis/-anPresent Subjunctive -ER/-IR
This is the conjugation pattern for present subjunctive -ER and -IR verbs, which is essential for using this structure with a wide range of verbs.
Level 3 - espero que + SubjunctiveSubjunctive with Hope
Esperar can also introduce a hoped-for situation with que and the subjunctive. Mood selection depends on the construction and meaning, not simply the number of subjects.
Level 3 - es necesario que + SubjunctiveSubjunctive with Necessity
This is an impersonal expression that also triggers the subjunctive. It's related because it shows another context (necessity) where the subjunctive is required, helping to build a broader understanding of the mood.
Level 3
Learn Next
Patterns that build on this one.
Words in This Pattern
Practice quiero que + Subjunctive in Bubblegum
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