A wish can describe a present reality you would like to change.

The idea

After ojalá (optionally que), use the imperfect subjunctive for a wish contrary to the present; both -ra and -se forms work.

Examples

  • Ojalá tuviera más tiempo para leer.I wish I had more time to read.
  • Ojalá viviéramos cerca del mar.I wish we lived near the sea.
  • Ojalá mi hermano pudiera venir a cenar.I wish my brother could come to dinner.
  • Ojalá el autobús llegara más temprano.I wish the bus arrived earlier.
  • Ojalá mis vecinas conocieran este jardín.I wish my neighbours knew about this garden.
  • Ojalá no hiciera tanto frío en la oficina.I wish it were not so cold in the office.

Read-aloud uses a synthetic Spanish voice available on your device. Voice quality and availability vary; it does not assess your pronunciation.

Watch out

Do not use the indicative tengo for this contrary-to-fact wish. A past form here does not necessarily refer to past time.

Try it yourself

  1. Choose the form for a wish contrary to the present. Ojalá yo ___ una bicicleta. (tuviera / tuviese / tengo)

    Show answer or example answer

    tuviera / tuviese

    Tuviera and tuviese both fit the first-person wish for a bicycle.

  2. Choose the form for a wish contrary to the present. Ojalá nosotros ___ más cerca del trabajo. (viviéramos / viviésemos / vivimos)

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    viviéramos / viviésemos

    Viviéramos and viviésemos agree with nosotros.

  3. Choose the form for a wish contrary to the present. Ojalá ella ___ hablar con su amiga. (pudiera / pudiese / puede)

    Show answer or example answer

    pudiera / pudiese

    Pudiera and pudiese express her wished-for ability.

Use it today

Imagine three things you would change about the present.