Severn Spanish

Subjunctive III: Adjective clauses

 

Introduction

The subjunctive is used with verbs of uncertainty, desire, doubt, etc. It is also used in adjective clauses. What is an adjective clause, you ask? It is a clause (something with a subject and a verb) that functions as an adjective (so it describes something else). Here are some English examples:

We need people that can speak Spanish. (The underlined clause describes the people we need.)

It’s a steak that comes from organic cows. (Again, the underlined clause tells about the steak.)

She’s looking for someone who owns a car.

 

The Subjunctive in Adjective Clauses

The trickiest thing about using the subjunctive in adjective clauses is that sometimes it’s required, and sometimes it’s not. The most simple way to think about the difference between adjective clauses that need the subjunctive and those that don’t is to consider whether you are absolutely sure the thing being described exists. Often, this is indicated by the article used before the noun. A definite article (el/la/los/las) indicates that the thing exists; an indefinite article (un/una/unos/unas) indicates that it might not. Consider these two examples:

I need the book that explains how to bake a cake.

I need a book that explains how to bake a cake.

See the difference? In the first, the existence of the book is certain. In the second, it is not. Can you guess which will require the subjunctive? The second:

Necesito el libro que explica cocinar pastel.

Necesito un libro que explique cocinar pastel.

Frequently, you see this kind of thing with the verb buscar:

Ella busca al hombre que repara los coches. (She’s looking for the man who fixes cars.)

Ella busca a un hombre que repare los coches. (She’s looking for a man who fixes cars.)