How To Use The Spanish Subjunctive and Ojala and Como Si

Today's lesson covers the Spanish subjunctive and how to use ojalá and como si in the Spanish language. Ojalá is an expression which means "hopefully" and is always used with the subjunctive.

Note: You can use "Ojalá" with "que", or without "que". Both forms are right.

• Present Subjunctive

When we use "Ojalá" with the present, we are speaking about a desire possible in the future. Imagine you are at home, and suddenly, the lights go out, so, you can say:

Ojalá que venga el electricista (I hope the electrician will come)

• Imperfect Subjunctive

With the Imperfect you are speaking about a desire impossible in the present. Imagine the next situation: you have already called the electrician, but he can't come at this moment. You can say:

Ojalá que viniera el electricista (I wish the electrician could come)

• Perfect Subjunctive

It is a desire about a situation in the past, but you don't really know what happened. Imagine that you are out of your home, but you have left your roommate waiting for the electrician. You are coming back, and you are opening the door, and you say:

Ojalá haya venido el electricista (I hope the electrician has come)

• Pluscuamperfect Subjunctive

You finally have entered your home, and now, you know for sure that the electrician hasn't come. So, you have a impossible desire about a situation in past:

Ojalá hubiera venido el electricista (I wish the electrician would have come)

Como si

"Como si" is an expression which means "like" or "as if". We can use "como si" with:

• Imperfect Subjunctive

With this tense we are using "como si" to make a comparison with something not real in the present.
Example: Canta como si fuera un perro. (He sings like a dog)

• Pluscuamperfecto Subjuctive

We are doing a comparison with a situation not real from the past.
Example: Llora como si hubiera muerto alguien.
(She cries as if someone had died)

Anna River is a native Spanish speaker from Buenos Aires, Argentina. She is also a Spanish instructor and the author of 2 learning Spanish books. If you would like to get FREE instant download access to the MP3 audio and PDF transcripts to her Spanish lessons absolutely free AND read her reviews of the most popular learning-Spanish products, then visit her web site now in order to: learn Spanish online That's http://LearningSpanishProductsReviews.com/