The Subjunctive in Adjectival Clauses

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 type)
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
Predicat Antecede
Adjectival clause
e
nt
Tengo
Mood of the
verb ladrar
(to bark)
un perro
que ladra mucho.
No teng un perro
o
que ladre mucho.
Subjunctive The antecedent is negated; such a dog
doesn't exist.
Quiero
que ladre mucho.
Subjunctive There is an indefinite antecedent; such
a dog may or not exist.
un perro
Indicative
Reason for the use of the
subjunctive or the indicative
There is a definite antecedent, a
dog which I own.
(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:
There is something here which I like.
Hay algo aquí que me gusta.
Do you know the professor who lives
Conoces al profesor que vive
allí?
there?
Leo un libro que explica todo eso I'm reading a book which explains all
.
that.
Tienen una criada que habla
They have a maid who speaks Spanish.
español .
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.
Ú OJO: When the antecedent is NOT mentioned, adjective clauses are introduced by lo que (what...):
Haz lo que quieras.
Do what(ever) you (may) want.
Haces exactamente lo que quieres. You do exactly what you want. (you know what it is)
No me importa lo que digan.
No me importa lo que dicen.
I do not care what they (may) say. (whatever it is)
I do not care about what they're saying. (I know what it is)
Try some practice:
Arturo : Quiero escoger una clase de historia que (ser) ___________ interesante. ¿Qué me
recomiendas?
Elena: Estoy tomando la clase de historia mundial que la Sra. Méndes (enseñar)
__________________.
Arturo : Es necesario que los estudiantes (leer) _____________ mucho fuera de clase? No deseo una
clase donde (tener) _________________ que leer demasiado, porque ya tengo muchas clases
donde nosotros (tener) ___________________ que leer mucho.
Elena: Dudo que (haber) ___________ mucha lectura fuera de clase, pero siempre (haber) _________
algo que leer.
Arturo : Gracias por ayudarme. No conozco a nadie que le (gustar) _________________ leer el libro
de historia.
Elena: Es verdad. Pero en la clase de Sra. Méndes, es necesario leer muchos artículos que
(aparecer) __________________________ en los periódicos y el internet, porque es necesario
que nosotros (saber) _____________________ lo que (estar) __________________ pasando
en el mundo hoy.
Arturo : ¿Ah, sí? Ese tipo de lectura es la que me (gustar) _________________.