Expressing Preferences for Others

This structure uses a specific formula. It’s like building a Lego set. You need three main pieces. First, you have the person who wants something. Let's call them Subject A. Next, you need a bridge. In Spanish, that bridge is the word que. Finally, you have the person who is supposed to do the action. That's Subject B. Because Subject A is trying to influence Subject B, the second verb must change. It moves from the normal "real world" (Indicative) to the "desire world" (Subjunctive). It sounds complex, but you do it every day. Imagine saying "I want that you study." It sounds a bit old-fashioned in English, but it's the standard in Spanish. Without the que and the change, the sentence falls apart. Yes, even native speakers mess this up when they are tired! But once you click these pieces together, you'll sound much more natural.

1. 1Creating these verbs is a simple two-step dance.
2. 2Start with the yo form of the present tense. For example, como (I eat) or hablo (I speak).
3. 3Drop the -o at the end. This gives you your stem.
4. 4Add the "opposite" endings.
5. 5For -AR verbs: Add -e, -es, -e, -emos, -éis, -en.
6. 6For -ER and -IR verbs: Add -a, -as, -a, -amos, -áis, -an.
7. 7Think of it as a switch. If the verb usually ends in a, give it an e. If it usually ends in e, give it an a. It’s like wearing your shirt inside out on purpose. It signals to the listener: "Hey, this is a wish, not a fact!"

Use this pattern whenever you want to influence someone else’s behavior.

• Ordering Food: "I prefer that you bring me the water without ice."
• Asking for Favors: "I want you to help me with my bags."
• Giving Directions: "I prefer that you take this street."
• Social Plans: "I want my friends to come to the party."

You are essentially projecting your will onto another person. It’s very common with verbs like querer (to want), preferir (to prefer), and desear (to desire). If you are the boss of your own desires, this is your primary tool. Think of it like a remote control for your social interactions.

This is where most people get tripped up. If you are talking about yourself, do NOT use this. If Subject A and Subject B are the same person, use the infinitive.

• Wrong: Quiero que yo coma (I want that I eat).
• Right: Quiero comer (I want to eat).

You only need the que and the Subjunctive when there are two different people involved. If you try to use the Subjunctive for yourself, you’ll sound like you’re having an identity crisis. Keep it simple. One person? No que. Two people? Use the que and change that verb!

The most common slip-up is forgetting the word que. In English, we skip it. In Spanish, it’s the glue. Without it, the sentence is just a pile of words. Another big mistake is using the normal present tense (Indicative). If you say Quiero que vienes, a native speaker will understand, but it will sound "off" to them. It's like wearing socks with sandals—technically functional, but visually painful. Also, watch out for irregulars. Verbs like hacer become haga. If you forget the change, you lose the "wish" flavor of the sentence. Don't worry, everyone makes these mistakes at first. Even the smartest students have those "wait, is it -a or -e?" moments.

Let’s compare this to the normal present tense.

• Fact: Tú vas al cine (You are going to the cinema). This is a reality.
• Preference: Quiero que vayas al cine (I want you to go to the cinema). This is a wish.

Notice how vas changes to vayas. In the first sentence, you are reporting what is happening. In the second, you are trying to make something happen. It’s the difference between a news report and a movie script. One describes the world, the other tries to create it. Mastering this contrast is the key to moving beyond basic "caveman" Spanish.