Adjective Clauses Requiring the SUBJUNCTIVE

The word “obra” is modified by an adjective clause and is called the antecedent. * OBRA is the ANTECEDENT of the QUE clause. An adjective clause modifies a noun just like an adjective. All relative clauses are adjective clauses. Ex. – una obra que se titula Don Quixote de la Mancha Vs. - una obra increible

Use the indicative if the antecedent is something or someone that the speaker can identify. In Spanish there are 2 types of antecedents: Those considered part of reality, definite or existent Those not part of reality, indefinite or nonexistent

Tenemos una profesora que habla español. The antecedent is una profesora. She is a definite person who can be named. Use the indicative, HABLA.

Use the subjunctive when an adjective clause that modifies the antecedent is NOT part of the speaker’s reality or experience. *includes clauses that refer to indefinite, undertermined, and negative antecedents. Buscamos un profesor que hable portugués. Queremos un profesor que hable portugués. Necesitamos un profesor que hable portugués. In these sentences, we don’t know if the teacher exists. No conozco a nadie que hable Swahili. No hay periódico que le guste.

If the DO is definite and identifiable, use the indicative in the adjective clause. *Use the personal “a” as well. Buscamos a la profesora que habla chino. Buscamos al profesor que habla chino. Necesitamos a la profesora que habla chino. In these cases, the person being sought is known to the speakers. We are looking for/need THE teacher who speaks Chinese.

Remember the sequence of tense rules! Past with past, present with present. Does the person or thing exist? Subjunctive vs. indicative Quiero una novela que tenga un buen argumento. Quiero la novela que tiene un buen argumento. Present………………present subjunctive or indicative Quería una novela que tuviera un buen argumento. Quería la novela que tenía un buen argumento. Past…………………..past subjunctive or indicative No hay casa que les guste. No había casa que les gustara.

Other relative adverbs and pronouns can be used to introduce adjective clauses. *que, donde, quien (no accents needed) Buscan una florería donde vendan tulipanes. They were looking for a flower shop where they sell tulips. Carla quería una amiga con quien pudiera compartir sus sueños. Carla wanted a friend with whom she could share her dreams.