Hi guys, I just need a little help with this one. I know that Ojalá is used to express desire but I'm a little bit confused if we need to use the Present or Imperfect tense. Like for example these sentences.
English:
1. I hope it would rain tomorrow .
2. I wish Ben would come today.
Spanish translation:
1. Ojalá llueva o lloviera mañana.
2. Ojalá Ben venga o viniera hoy.
Hope you guys could help me out with this. Thanks a lot!
In my case I've been thinking when I use either forms and I tend to use in the follow way.
When I'm just saying "I wish that to happen" such as in "Ojalà venga". I'd say it mainly using the present form.
But I think that when after that "hopeful" I give the reason why, I tend to use both forms.
Ojalá viniera para que pudiéramos ir juntos.
Ojalá venga para que podamos ir juntos.
There would be a slighty difference about the feelings in which both sentences are expressed, I'd say that, I tend to use the second form when there are more objective possibilities things to happen.
Hi Dennis.
Both are correct as the tense you're using is Subjuntivo, which is used to express hypothetical concepts.
So it has nothing to do with Present or Imperfect, it's just about Modo Subjuntivo that expresses something hypothetical, a desire for example.
:-)
Both sentences are very good. But is most commun to use 'Ojalá' in present tense.