| Present Subjunctive is used when what you are wishing is still (even remotely) possible: | The Imperfect (Past) Subjunctive is used when expressing a wish for something that is not possible. For example, Wishing to redo the past or transform yourself into another creature. | |
| Ojalá que Mauricio venga a clase temprano. | Ojalá que Mauricio viniera a clase temprano. | |
| I sure hope that Mauricio comes to class early. [unlikely, but he still may] | I really wish that Mauricio had come to class early [but he didn't] | |
| Ojalá que gane la lotería. | Ojalá que ganara la lotería. | |
| I sure pray I win the lottery [unlikely, but who knows?] | I really wish I had won the lottery [but, alas, I did not] |