Breakdown of Voglio che queste specie sopravvivano.
queste
these (feminine)
volere
to want
che
that (conjunction introducing a clause)
sopravvivere
to survive
Questions & Answers about Voglio che queste specie sopravvivano.
Why does the verb sopravvivere end in -ano here instead of -ono?
This is the present subjunctive for the "they" (loro) form of -ere verbs. While the regular present tense uses -ono (sopravvivono), the present subjunctive swaps the vowel and uses -ano (sopravvivano).
Why do we need to use the subjunctive mood for sopravvivere?
The verb volere (to want) in the main clause (Voglio) expresses a strong desire or wish. Whenever you express a desire about what someone or something else does, Italian requires you to use che followed by the subjunctive mood.
The English translation is "I want these species to survive". Why can't I use the infinitive and say Voglio queste specie sopravvivere?
In English, we often say "want [something] to do [something]". But in Italian, you can only use the infinitive if the subject of both verbs is the same (like "I want to survive" = Voglio sopravvivere). Because the subjects are different here ("I" want, "the species" survive), you must separate the clauses with che and conjugate the second verb.
Why does the word specie end in -e if it is plural?