The Subjunctive in Adjectival Clauses
Adjectives are words that modify a noun, describing or limiting it. Examples of
adjectives are: the new hat, the pretty dress, many intelligent students. An entire clause
may serve an adjectival purpose, describing a noun or pronoun —the antecedent— in a
sentence, for example:
1. Do you have a dress which will go with these shoes?
2. Yes, I have a dress which will be perfect.
3. I don't see any dress (that) I like.
Note that in all three examples above, there is an adjectival clause (the part in bold-faced
tyope) that modifies or refers back to the word dress. That is, the antecedent in all three
cases is dress, but in each case the situation is different: in number one, the antecedent is
indefinite, that is, we don't know if such a dress exists; in number two, the antecedent is
definite, that is, it definitely is portrayed as existing; in number three, the antecedent is
negated, that is, its existence is denied or at least doubtful.
The rule:
In Spanish, the subjunctive is used in an adjectival clause when the antecedent is
indefinite or unknown or is nonexistent or negated; in contrast, the indicative is
used when the antecedent is a definite or existing one.
Illustration:
Main clause
Dependent clause
Mood of the verb
ladrar (to bark)
Predicate Antecedent
Adjectival clause
Tengo
que ladra mucho. Indicative
un perro
No tengo un perro
que ladre mucho. Subjunctive
Quiero
que ladre mucho. Subjunctive
un perro
Reason for the use of
the s ubjunctive or the
indicative
There is a definite
antecedent, a
dog which I own dog.
The antecedent is
negated; such a dog
doesn't exist.
There is an indefinite
antecedent; such a dog
may or not exist.
(I have/don't have/want a dog that barks a lot.)
More examples of the three types of situations:
1. The indicative is used in an adjectival clause when there is a definite antecedent:
Hay algo aquí que me gusta.
¿Conoces al profesor que vive allí?
Leo un libro que explica todo eso.
Tienen una criada que habla español.
There is something here which I like.
Do you know the professor who lives there?
I'm reading a book which explains all that.
They have a maid who speaks Spanish.
2. The subjunctive is used in an adjectival clause when antecedent is negated:
No hay nada aquí que me guste.
No veo a* nadie que conozca.
No recomendamos ningún libro que él
haya escrito.
There is nothing here I like.
I don't see anyone I know.
We don't recommend any book he has
written.
3. The subjunctive is used in an adjectival clause when there is an indefinite antecedent:
¿Hay algo aquí que te guste?
Quiero leer un libro que
explique todo eso.
Conoces a* alguien que viva
cerca de aquí?
Buscamos una criada que hable
español.
Is there anything here you like?
I want to read a book which explains all that.
Do you know anyone who lives nearby?
We're looking a maid who speak Spanish. [We
hope we can find one!]
*Note the use of the personal a before the pronouns alguien and nadie when used as
direct objects.