Present subjunctive vs. Future simple

Daniel W.C1Kwiziq community member

Present subjunctive vs. Future simple

Ya tienen tres niñas, ojalá el próximo sea un niño.

vs.

Ya tienen tres niñas, ojalá el próximo será un niño.

Could both of these be correct?  Or would it have to be the former simply because of the need for the subjunctive mood following ojalá?  The english side of my brain wants the latter to be correct too... (something like "they already have three girls; hopefully the next one will be a boy.")

Asked 6 years ago
InmaNative Spanish expert teacher in Kwiziq

Hola Daniel

Ojalá or Ojalá que... only admits the subjunctive, therefore the future tense wouldn't be correct. You could use the future if you don't use ojalá, though, in a very similar sentence:

Ya tienen tres niñas. Con suerte, el próximo será un niño.

They already have three girls. With a bit of luck, the next one will be a boy.

I hope this helps,

Inma

Daniel W. asked:

Present subjunctive vs. Future simple

Ya tienen tres niñas, ojalá el próximo sea un niño.

vs.

Ya tienen tres niñas, ojalá el próximo será un niño.

Could both of these be correct?  Or would it have to be the former simply because of the need for the subjunctive mood following ojalá?  The english side of my brain wants the latter to be correct too... (something like "they already have three girls; hopefully the next one will be a boy.")

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