Ch 19 · Lesson 18Spanish · Chapter 19 · Lesson 18 · Grammar primer
Ojalá
I hope, if only: always takes the subjunctive, with or without . .
The short version
.
Why?Hide
means I hope or if only. It is not a verb, so it needs no subject, and the subjunctive always follows it, the present for a hope about now or later: . The is optional, and on its own ¡! answers a question: I hope so!
Ojalá
means I hope or if only. It is not a verb, and the subjunctive always follows it: the present subjunctive for a hope about now or later. The is optional:
.- I hope he/she comes..- I hope you'right..- I hope it doesn't rain tomorrow..- I hope it's true.
On its own it is a whole answer:
¿ ? ¡!- Are you coming tomorrow? I hope so!
| Spanish | English | Note |
|---|---|---|
. | I hope he/she comes. | a verb: I hope |
. | I hope he/she comes. | no verb, no subject |
. | I hope to come. | the same person |
The word comes from the Arabic of -Andalus, roughly if God wills, and it still hopes for something out of your hands.
Mistakes English speakers make
| Wrong | Right | Why |
|---|---|---|
| after the trigger: subjunctive | |
| the same person: infinitive | |
| never + infinitive | |
| someone else needs | |
| takes the subjunctive |
Going further: Wishes at a glance and the rest of the guide, when you want them. This lesson does not need them.
Practice
Practise this lesson
8-question session
One question at a time, mixed across the exercises in this lesson. Miss one and it comes back round before the end.
Spanish · Free printables
Worksheets for this lesson
Worksheets with answer keys built in. Open any one to view, print or save.
Free for members
The printable worksheets, infographics and PDFs are free with an account. Start a free week and download as many as you like.
Start your free weekLesson 18 of 25 in this chapter