Gracias.

Thank you again.

Concerning “preguntar de”, I’ve come to the conclusion that it’s not all that common, and in some areas, it would sound incorrect. I did ask a native Spanish speaker (from Mexico) about this and she said that “preguntar por” would sound better, but that you could say “preguntar de” as well. I think it’s a regional thing. In any case, you’re better off just using “por” in this case.

The distinction you draw about using “por” to ask if someone is home and “de” to ask about health etc, makes perfect sense to me, but I’m not a native speaker.

As far as I wish I was and I wish I were, that’s a perfect example of the subjunctive in English, and also an example of the fact that it’s disappearing from English. I wish I were is subjunctive, but it’s falling into disuse.

I am not a regular on this site as far as commenting but I do use the dictionary quite often. I find it very useful and helpful.

As far as “preguntar de” I think is incorrect. It would be “preguntar por” when asking about someone that is widely used in what you call Mexican Spanish.

Pregunte por Juan pero me dijeron que ya no estaba.

Pregunte de……..Pregunte de Juan (implying asking about his health or?) y me dijeron que aun no se alivia.

As a native speaker, can you tell me which is correct? I wish I was -or- I wish I were?

Gracias!

I don’t feel so bad, though, since most English speakers also fail at using the subjunctive in English. Case-in-point: “If I was president/cool/singing/to say…” The majority of the time, you should say “If I were.”

As for preguntar de, I’ve never heard it before, maybe it’s common in Mexico, but I suggest you don’t use it in Spain.