Breakdown of Ojalá que el estudiante obtenga la beca para la universidad.
el estudiante
student
para
for
la universidad
university
que
that / than
ojalá
hopefully / I hope
obtener
to obtain / to get
la beca
scholarship
Questions & Answers about Ojalá que el estudiante obtenga la beca para la universidad.
Why is the verb obtenga instead of obtiene here?
We use the subjunctive form obtenga because the sentence starts with ojalá que, which expresses a strong hope or wish. After ojalá, you must use the subjunctive mood rather than the normal present tense.
How do we build the form obtenga?
It comes from the verb obtener (to get or obtain). To form the present subjunctive, start with the 'yo' form of the normal present tense (obtengo). Drop the '-o', and add the 'opposite' ending. Since obtener is an '-er' verb, it takes the '-ar' ending -a for the he/she/it form, giving us obtenga.
Do I always have to use que after ojalá?
No, the que is totally optional! You can say ojalá que el estudiante obtenga... or simply ojalá el estudiante obtenga... Both mean exactly the same thing and both trigger the subjunctive.
Why do we use para instead of por before la universidad?
We use para here because it shows the purpose or destination of the scholarship. The scholarship is intended specifically for use at the university, and expressing purpose or destination is a classic rule for choosing para.
Is the word estudiante always masculine?
No, estudiante is a two-way noun. Words for people ending in -ante or -ente usually stay exactly the same for both men and women. We only know this is a male student because of the masculine article el. For a female student, you would say la estudiante.
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