Present subjunctive vs. Future simple

DanielC1Kwiziq 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 5 years ago
InmaKwiziq team member

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

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.")

Sign in to submit your answer

Don't have an account yet? Join today

Ask a question

Find your Spanish level for FREE

Test your Spanish to the CEFR standard

Find your Spanish level
Let me take a look at that...