Learn about querer with El Pretérito Imperfecto Subjuntivo in Spanish
The verb querer when followed by que always triggers the subjunctive. If querer is conjugated in El Presente, then the subordinate sentence will need El Presente de Subjuntivo.To review this, see Querer que followed by the Spanish present subjunctive (El Presente de Subjuntivo).
When we introduce the sentence with querer in El Pretérito Imperfecto, then the subordinate sentence will need El Pretérito Imperfecto Subjuntivo.
Have a look at the following examples:
Notice how:
- in the subordinate sentence after querer que we use El Pretérito Imperfecto Subjuntivo.
- the subject in the main clause is always different to the subject in the subordinate clause after querer que.
- the action in the subordinate clause refers to a past action or a future action related to the moment of speaking, i.e "que te ayudara" = that I helped you (back then), or "que te ayudara"= that I helped you later on.
You may also find this structure when we want to refer to a completed action in the past.
Quería que + El Pluscuamperfecto de Subjuntivo
For example:
Mis padres querían que yo hubiera/hubiese estudiado biología.
My parents wanted me to "have studied" Biology.
See also Conjugate Spanish verbs in the Spanish imperfect subjunctive tense (El Imperfecto de Subjuntivo).
Want to make sure your Spanish sounds confident? We’ll map your knowledge and give you free lessons to focus on your gaps and mistakes. Start your Brainmap today »
