Phrase · 🤨 Expressing reservations
Dudo mucho que lo terminen a tiempo, pero ojalá me equivoque.
I very much doubt they'll finish it on time, but I hope I'm wrong.
C1doubting a forecastAudio · coming soon
Why every word is where it is
Dudo1verbI doubtdudar · present · 1st sing.muchoadverba lot, muchqueconjunctionthatloobject pronounit, himél · 3rd sing. · direct objectterminenverbthey finish (subj.)terminar · subjunctive · present · 3rd pl.aprepositionto, attiemponountimemasc. · sing.,peroconjunctionbutojalá2interjectionI hope, if onlymepronounme, to me, myselfyo · 1st sing.equivoque3verbI am wrong (subj.)equivocarse · subjunctive · present · 1st sing..
- Dudo → terminen: dudar que + subjunctive
- ojalá → equivoque: ojalá + subjunctive
- me → equivoque: pronominal verb
Why it's built this way
The notes match the numbers above.
- 1dudar que + subjunctive: doubt never states a fact. Opinion, certainty and possibility: indicative or subjunctive →
- 2ojalá + present subjunctive: a real hope; que is optional. Subjunctive: wishes and influence →
- 3equivocarse = to be wrong; the pronoun is obligatory.