Chapter 14 The Subjunctive in Adjective Clauses Flashcards
The subjunctive in adjective clauses
to express that the existence of someone or something is uncertain or Indefinite
Do you know a jewelry store that’s close by?
¿Conoces una joyería que esté cerca?
No, I don’t know any jewelry stores that’s near here.
No, no conozco ninguna joyería que esté cerca de aquí.
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. In the examples following, compare the differences in meaning between the statements using the indicative and those using the subjunctive
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Adjective clauses are subordinate clauses that modify a noun or pronoun in the main clause of a sentence. That noun or pronoun is called the antecedent.
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Indicative: I need the book that has information about Venezuela
Necesito el libro que tiene información sobre Venezuela
Subjunctive: I need a book that has information about Venezuela
Necesito un libro que tenga información sobre Venezuela
Indicative: I want to live in this house that has a garden
Quiero vivir en esta casa que tiene jardín
Subjunctive: I want to live in a house that has a garden
Quiero vivir en una casa que tenga jardín
Indicative: In my neighborhood, there’s an ice cream shop that sells mango ice cream.
En mi barrio, hay una heladería que vende helado de mango
Subjunctive: In my neighborhood, there is no ice cream shop that sells mango ice cream.
En mi barrio no hay ninguna heladería que vende helado de mango
Observe the important role that the indefinite article versus the definite article please in determining the use of the subjunctive in adjective clauses.:
Do you know an Italian restaurant that’s near my house?
Do you know the Italian restaurant near my house?
¿Conoces un restaurante italiano que esté cerca de mi casa?
¿Conoces el restaurante italiano que está cerca de mi casa?
The personal “a” is not used with direct objects that are hypothetical people. However “alguien” and “nadie” are always preceded by the personal “a” when they function as direct objects
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We need an employee who knows how to use computers.
Necesitamos un empleado que sepa usar computadoras.
We need the employee who knows how to use computers
Necesitamos al empleado que sabe usar computadoras
We’re looking for someone who can cook
Buscamos a alguien que pueda cocinar
We don’t know anyone who can cook
No conocemos a nadie que pueda cocinar
The subjunctive is commonly used in questions with adjective clauses when the speaker is trying to find out information about which he or she is uncertain. However, if the person who responds to the question knows the information, the indicative is used.
Is there a park that’s near our hotel?
Yes, there’s a park that’s very near the hotel.
¿Hay un parque que esté cerca de nuestro hotel?
Sí, hay un parque que está muy cerca del hotel.
To look for
buscar
To know, to be acquainted with
conocer
To find
encontrar
There is/are
haber
To need
necesitar
to want
querer
Sandra knows a woman who works at the bank of Valencia well.
Sandra conoce bien a una mujer que trabaja en el Banco de Valencia
I’m selling books I don’t read anymore
Estoy vendiendo los libros que ya no leo
She’s the girl who never waits in line
Ella es la chica que nunca hace cola
There is a beauty salon on Primavera Street which is open on Sundays
Hay un salón de belleza en la calle Primavera que está abuerto los domingos
We want a Doctor who is nice
Queremos un médico que sea simpático
Is there a bank in Caracas that offers free services?
¿Hay algún banco en Caracas que ofrezca servicios gratis?
This bookstore needs employees who are bilingual
Esta librería necesita unos empleados que estén sean bilingües
I want a sweater that doesn’t wash by hand.
Quiero un suéter que no se lave a mano
I find in the newspaper many apartments that fascinate me.
Encuentro en el periódico muchos apartamentos que me fascinan.
Is there anyone in the world who still pays cash?
¿Hay alguien en el mundo que todavía pague en efectivo?
Go straight ahead and you’ll see the post office that is in front of the church.
Sigur derecho y vas a ver el correo que queda enfrente de la iglesia
Professor Navarro, do you know anyone who can explain to me how to use the subjunctive?
Profesor Navarro, ¿conoce usted a alguien que pueda explicarme cómo usar el subjuntivo?
Do you have a map showing the capitals of all countries?
¿Tienes un mapa que muestre las capitales de todos los países
Rosa and Eduardo don’t find anything on the menu they want to order
Rosa y Eduardo no encuentran nada en el menú que quieran pedir
