One of the most common uses of the subjunctive is after verbs of willing, such as querer (‘to want’), desear (‘to want’), insistir en (‘to insist on’), mandar (‘to order’), preferir (‘to prefer’), prohibir (‘to prohibit’), recomendar (‘to recommend’), decir (‘to tell’ someone to do something), pedir (‘to ask’ someone to do something), and permitir (‘to permit). Notice in the examples of the use of the subjunctive with the verbs of willing in the settings and dialogues, there is one person speaking who wants another person to do something. That is, there must be a change of subject in order to use the subjunctive: one subject wants to influence the other subject to do something. Thomas quiere que la operadora llame...; Thomas quiere que la secretaria le indique...; Thomas quiere que el camarero le traiga..., etc. The subjunctive is used after the conjunction que in the subordinate clause of the sentence. If there is no change of subject, the subjunctive is not used: Thomas quiere comer; Thomas quiere llamar; Thomas quiere encontrar..., etc.

Examples of Subjunctive: Verbs of Volition

• Sí, señora. Me parece que tiene una llanta desinflada. ¿Quiere que le ponga aire?