Introduction
Understanding the difference between Quero que and Quero is essential for Portuguese learners. These two forms change sentence structure, mood, and meaning: one commonly triggers the subjunctive and a dependent clause, while the other keeps a simple infinitive. This article explains when to use each, with clear rules, examples in Brazilian Portuguese, and usage notes for natural speech.
- Overview: desire, intention, and grammar
- Rule 1: Quero que + subjunctive when subjects are different
- Rule 2: Quero + infinitive when subject is the same
- Special cases and variations
- Negative forms and modality
- Common learner errors and how to avoid them
- Examples in everyday contexts
- Register and regional variations
- Quick conjugation reference
- Usage note on negative and polite forms
- Conclusion
Overview: desire, intention, and grammar
Both Quero que and Quero express desire or intention, but they fit different grammatical patterns. Use Quero que when your main clause introduces a subordinate clause with a different subject. This subordinate clause typically uses the subjunctive mood. Use Quero plus an infinitive when the subject of both verbs is the same or when the action is general, not directed at someone else.
Why the difference matters
Portuguese distinguishes who performs the action and whether the action is a fact, a wish, or a doubt. The subjunctive signals uncertainty, desire, or non-realized events. Choosing the wrong structure can make your sentence sound unnatural or change the meaning. For learners, mastering this difference improves clarity and fluency.
Rule 1: Quero que + subjunctive when subjects are different
When the subject in the main clause is different from the subject in the subordinate clause, use Quero que followed by a verb in the present subjunctive for present/future wishes, or the imperfect subjunctive for past hypothetical or polite requests. The structure is:
Quero que + [subject 2] + [verb in subjunctive]
Examples:
Quero que você venha amanhã.
Here, I want you to come tomorrow; the subject of the subordinate clause is você, not eu. The verb vem becomes venha in the present subjunctive.
Quero que eles me ajudem com o projeto.
Eu quero, eles ajudem — different subjects, so use ajudem (subjunctive).
For past wishes or polite requests, use the past subjunctive:
Queria que você falasse mais devagar, por favor.
In more polite requests, some speakers use queria (imperfect of querer) and falasse (imperfect subjunctive).
Why subjunctive here?
The subjunctive reflects desire or non-asserted reality. When I say Quero que você venha, I express a desire concerning another person’s action — something that may or may not happen. The language marks that uncertainty with the subjunctive form venha.
Rule 2: Quero + infinitive when subject is the same
If the subject of both verbs is the same, use Quero + infinitive. This creates a single-actor construction where the speaker expresses their own desire to perform an action. The structure is:
Quero + [infinitive verb]
Examples:
Quero viajar para o Brasil no próximo ano.
The subject eu desires to travel; both actions involve the same person, so viajar stays in the infinitive.
Quero aprender português rapidamente.
Again, the speaker and the one who will learn are the same person.
Why not subjunctive?
Because there is no uncertainty about a different person’s action — the subject is the same and the speaker often implies intention or plan, the infinitive is the correct form. The infinitive states the action as a direct object of the verb querer, not as a separate clause that needs subjunctive marking.
Special cases and variations
Impersonal or generic subjects
When the subordinate clause has an impersonal or generic subject, the structure can vary. If the action is generic and not tied to a specific agent, speakers often use Quero que + subjunctive:
Quero que se respeite a natureza.
Here the subject is impersonal (one/people), and the subjunctive se respeite is common in formal or emphatic statements.
However, Portuguese also allows constructions like quero respeitar a natureza when the speaker expresses a personal intention to adopt that behavior. The nuance: Quero que se respeite emphasizes a request or demand toward others or society, while Quero respeitar signals the speaker’s own intention.
Commands and requests
When making requests or orders indirectly, Portuguese speakers often prefer Quero que + subjunctive to direct orders. It softens or formalizes the request:
Quero que você me entregue o relatório até sexta.
More direct and formal than a command, but still requests someone else to act.
In informal speech, especially with close friends or family, direct imperative or quero + infinitive might be used differently. Context and register matter.
Infinitive personal and impersonal infinitive
Portuguese has a personal infinitive, which can be conjugated to agree with the subject. This sometimes complicates the choice. When you want to emphasize different agents but prefer an infinitive structure, you can use the personal infinitive.
Example:
Quero eles participarem da reunião. (colloquial) or Quero que eles participem da reunião. (standard)
The standard form uses Quero que + subjunctive: Quero que eles participem. The personal infinitive Quero eles participarem is less formal and more typical in spoken Brazilian Portuguese but is often considered nonstandard; the grammatically preferable alternative is Quero que eles participem.
Negative forms and modality
Negation follows the same patterns. If the subjects differ, keep using Quero que + subjunctive:
Não quero que você vá sozinho.
Use vá (subjunctive) because you are referring to someone else going.
If the subject is the same, negate the infinitive:
Não quero sair hoje.
The speaker is talking about their own desire not to leave, using the infinitive sair.
Modal verbs and auxiliaries
When querer combines with modal verbs or auxiliaries, the same subject-based rule applies. If the subject changes, use Quero que + subjunctive; if not, want + infinitive or alternative constructions are correct.
Examples:
Quero que você possa vir amanhã. (different subjects; possa is subjunctive of poder)
Quero poder viajar mais. (same subject; poder in the infinitive)
Common learner errors and how to avoid them
1. Using infinitive with different subjects
Many learners say Quero você vir amanhã. This sounds unnatural or incorrect in standard Brazilian Portuguese. Replace with Quero que você venha amanhã.
2. Overusing Quero que with the same subject
Quero que eu vá ao mercado is grammatically possible but unnatural. Use Quero ir ao mercado when both actions refer to the speaker.
3. Confusing subjunctive forms
Remember present subjunctive formation for regular verbs: take the first-person singular present, drop o, add -e/-a endings. For example, falar → eu falo → que eu fale. Irregular verbs like ser, ir, and ter have irregular subjunctive forms: ser → seja, ir → vá, ter → tenha.
Practical tip
A quick test: identify the subject of the subordinate action. If it is different from the speaker, choose Quero que + subjunctive. If it is the same, choose Quero + infinitive. This simple check solves most errors.
Examples in everyday contexts
Work and requests
Quero que o chefe revise o relatório hoje.
Different subjects: the boss revises; use revise (subjunctive).
Quero terminar o relatório até hoje à noite.
Same subject: the speaker will finish; terminar stays infinitive.
Family and relationships
Quero que você me diga a verdade.
A request to another person; diga = subjunctive.
Quero descobrir a verdade por mim mesmo.
Personal desire to discover; descobrir = infinitive.
Plans and intentions
Quero que a festa seja surpresa.
Desire about how others should act or how the event should be; seja is subjunctive.
Quero planejar uma festa para meus amigos.
Personal plan; planejar is infinitive.
Register and regional variations
In Brazilian Portuguese, colloquial speech sometimes relaxes formal rules. You may hear Quero que + infinitive forms or Quero + personal infinitive in spoken contexts. However, for clear and standard written Portuguese, follow the subject-based rule: Quero que + subjunctive for different subjects; Quero + infinitive for the same subject.
Politeness and tone
Queria que is a common polite alternative to Quero que. Using queria plus subjunctive is softer and more courteous in requests.
Queria que você viesse mais cedo, se possível.
In very informal Brazilian Portuguese, people may omit que in casual speech or use alternative constructions, but learners should avoid these until they are comfortable with standard usage.
Quick conjugation reference
Present subjunctive examples for common verbs:
falar → fale (eu/ele), falem (eles)
comer → coma (eu/ele), comam (eles)
partir → parta (eu/ele), partam (eles)
Irregular verbs:
ser → seja / sejam
ir → vá / vão (note: vá is singular subjunctive, vão is present indicative third person plural; subjunctive plural is vão in colloquial speech but formally they use vão/estejam depending on context; be careful with irregulars and context)
ter → tenha / tenham
Usage note on negative and polite forms
Negative and polite forms follow the same grammatical patterns. Using não with Quero + infinitive is straightforward for self-directed desires. For requests or orders toward others, Não quero que + subjunctive expresses opposition to someone else’s action.
Examples:
Não quero que vocês saiam agora.
Opposing an action by others; saiam is subjunctive.
Não quero participar dessa reunião hoje.
Speaker’s own desire; participar is infinitive.
Conclusion
Mastering the difference between Quero que and Quero is a major step toward natural Portuguese. Remember the simple test: if the subordinate action has a different subject, use Quero que + subjunctive; if the subject is the same, use Quero + infinitive. Pay attention to register, politeness, and common irregular verbs, and you will sound more fluent and accurate in Brazilian Portuguese.
