Subjunctive for unidentified things

The idea

Use the subjunctive when the antecedent is sought or its existence is not asserted; use the indicative for an identified, existing referent.

Examples

• Busco una casa que tenga jardín.I am looking for a house with a garden.
• Necesitamos una guía que hable japonés.We need a guide who speaks Japanese.
• Quiero una mesa que quepa aquí.I want a table that fits here.
• No conozco a nadie que repare relojes.I do not know anyone who repairs watches.
• Hay una tienda que vende mapas.There is a shop that sells maps.
• Encontré un libro que explica esto.I found a book that explains this.

Watch out

A search does not automatically require the subjunctive: the indicative is possible when a specific known referent is intended.

Try it yourself

1. Choose the correct form: Busco un hotel que ___ piscina. (tenga / tiene)

   Show answer or example answer

   tenga

   The hotel is sought, so tenga describes a desired feature.

2. Choose the correct form: Conozco un hotel que ___ piscina. (tiene / tenga)

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   tiene

   The speaker knows the hotel, so tiene presents its pool as a fact.

3. Choose the correct form: No hay nadie que ___ ruso aquí. (hable / habla)

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   hable

   No person is asserted to exist, so hable describes the missing candidate.

Use it today

Describe something you need, then something you have found.