​The subjunctive in ADJECTIVE CLAUSES

​The SUBJUNCTIVE is used in an adjective (or subordinate) CLAUSE
that refers to a person, place, thing, or idea that either

DOES NOT EXIST
or
WHOSE EXISTENCE is UNCERTAIN or INDEFINITE.

​The subjunctive in ADJECTIVE CLAUSES

Example:

Quiero UNA aspiradora QUE trabaje sola.

I want A vacuum that works on its own.

(I don't know if one exists)

​The subjunctive in ADJECTIVE CLAUSES

​The INDICATIVE is used when the adjective (or subordinate) CLAUSE refers to a person, place, thing, or idea that

is CLEARLY KNOWN, CERTAIN or DEFINITE.

​The subjunctive in ADJECTIVE CLAUSES

Example:

Quiero LA aspiradora QUE trabaja sola.

I want THE vacuum that works on its own.

(I know it exists because I may have seen it at a store or advertised somewhere)

• Necesito UN LIBRO que TENGA información sobre Venezuela.

  (I need A BOOK that has information about Venezuela)

  (I don't know if there is such a book= subjunctive)

​Compare the differences in meaning between the statements using the indicative and those using the subjunctive:

• Necesito EL LIBRO que TIENE información sobre Venezuela.

  (I need THE BOOK that has information about Venezuela.)

  (I know there is a book because I may have seen it= indicative)

• Quiero vivir en UNA CASA que TENGA jardín.

  (I want to live in A HOUSE that has a garden.)

  (I haven't found one & I don't know if I will= subjunctive)

​Compare the differences in meaning between the statements using the indicative and those using the subjunctive:

• Quiero vivir en ESTA CASA que TIENE jardín.

  (I want to live in THIS HOUSE that has a garden.)

  (I know it exists because I may be standing in it= indicative)

• En mi barrio NO HAY NINGUNA HELADERÍA que VENDA helado de mango.

  (In my neighborhood, THERE IS NO ICE CREAM SHOP that sells mango ice cream.)

  (I haven't seen it, it may not exist= subjunctive)

​Compare the differences in meaning between the statements using the indicative and those using the subjunctive:

• En mi barrio HAY UNA HELADERÍA que VENDE helado de mango.

  (In my neighborhood, THERE IS AN ICE CREAM SHOP that sells mango ice cream.)

  (I know it exists because I have seen it in my neighborhood= indicative)

​Verbs commonly used with subjunctive in adjective clauses:

• buscar - to look for

• conocer - to know a person, place, or thing

• encontrar - to find

• haber - (to have) there is, there are

• necesitar - to need

• querer - to want