Subjunctive with wishes and emotions

When you want someone else to do something, you use que + subjunctive in the subordinate clause. This happens after verbs like querer que, esperar que, desear que, necesitar que, preferir que.

The rule: subject of main clause ≠ subject of subordinate clause → subjunctive.

Ojalá ('I hope', literally from Arabic 'if Allah wills it') is always followed by the subjunctive, with or without que. It expresses a strong wish or hope.

Ojalá can refer to both the future and the present.

Expressions of feeling or emotion are also followed by que + subjunctive, even when the fact itself is certain. Common expressions:

• alegrarse de que — to be glad that
• sentir que — to be sorry that
• es una pena/lástima que — it's a pity that
• me sorprende que — it surprises me that
• me encanta que — I love it that
• temer que — to fear that

When the subject of both clauses is the same, you don't use que + subjunctive — you use an infinitive instead.

Compare:
- Quiero ir al cine. (I want, I go → same person → infinitive)
- Quiero que vayas al cine. (I want, you go → different person → subjunctive)