Could someone explain the reason for the use of the subjunctive mood for the verb entrar in the following sentence

"yo prefería tener a mi marido en casa a una hora decente a que entrara por la puerta principal a las siete o las ocho"

Is the key trigger the verb preferir and that the first person is expressing a desire that her husband does not come home at 7 or 8.

thank you

Richard

Question

Could someone explain the reason for the use of the subjunctive mood for the verb entrar in the following sentence

"yo prefería tener a mi marido en casa a una hora decente a que entrara por la puerta principal a las siete o las ocho"

Is the key trigger the verb preferir and that the first person is expressing a desire that her husband does not come home at 7 or 8.

thank you

Richard

Answer

En otras palabras podría ser:

"Yo prefería que mi esposo llegara temprano y no que llegara tarde."

The structure "prefería que..." is used with the subjunctive in the context of wishes or preferences. In this example, the person expresses two hypothetical situations or desires in the past and indicates that they preferred the first option over the second. The subjunctive (entrara) is used because both situations are not stated as facts but rather as wishes or possibilities desired at that time, with no certainty of them happening.

Hope this helps!

Answer

We are not sure if her husband gets home at or around 7 or 8, or is she just making a general comparison, that's why it would be in the subjunctive form.

Answer

De manera general, el presente de subjuntivo se emplea para expresar emociones, deseos, sugerencias o hipótesis.

Answer

the reason is because it's a hypothetical

Answer

Many thanks Rocio for your explanation

Richard

Don’t miss out on the opportunity to learn a language from the comfort of your own home. Browse our selection of experienced language tutors and enroll in your first lesson now!