Notes #8 Uses of the Subjunctive Adjective Clauses

I. What is an Adjective Clause? Like an adjective, an adjective clause uses a VERB to describe a noun (person, place, thing or idea): adjective: Vivo en una casa cómoda y barata. adjective clause: Busco una casa que sea cómoda y barata, que esté cerca de Broughton, y que tenga una piscina interior.

II. Subjunctive in Adjective Clauses The Indicative is used to describe a specific person or item if it does exist The Subjunctive is used to describe a “theoretical” person or item because it is non-specific, indefinite, or might not exist

A Question of “experience” Use the indicative when you know that the person or item definitely does exist because you have: first-hand knowledge, experience, interaction you must use an indicative verb

A Question of “experience” (continued) Use a subjunctive verb when there is doubt if that person or item exsits because it’s: indefinite, may or may not exist, non-existent you must use a subjunctive verb!

III. Existing vs Theoretical Vivo en un apartamento que es cómodo y barato I live in an apartment that is comfortable and inexpensive indicative: the apartment does exist because I live in it Busco un apartamento que sea cómodo y barato y que tenga una piscina interior. I’m looking for an apartment that is comfortable and inexpensive and has an indoor pool. subjunctive: it’s a theoretical apartment

¿Dónde están mis zapatos negros que llevé ayer ¿Dónde están mis zapatos negros que llevé ayer? Estaban enfrente del sofá anoche. Where are my black shoes that I wore yesterday? They were in front of the sofa last night. indicative: I’m talking about a specific pair of shoes ¿Tienen unos zapatos que sean negros y de tacón? Quiero comprar unos que hagan juego con este vestido. Do you have any shoes that are black and high-heeled? I want to buy a pair that match this dress. subjunctive: I might not ever find a pair that match my dress

Busco a la secretaria que puede hablar español, japonés e inglés Busco a la secretaria que puede hablar español, japonés e inglés. ¿Dónde está? No la veo. I’m looking for the secretary that can speak Spanish, Japanese and English. Where is she? I don’t see her. indicative: I’m referring to a specific secretary Busco una secretaria que pueda hablar español, japonés, guaraní, holandés e inglés. ¿Piensas que hay una en Raleigh? I’m looking for a secretary who can speak Spanish, Japanese, Guaraní, Dutch and English. Do you think there is one in Raleigh? subjunctive: I want to hire a secretary who has these skills.

Quiero comprar una casa que esté en la playa de Alicante, que tenga ocho pisos, 15 dormitorios, una piscina interior y exterior, que sea verde con un garaje amarillo, y que cueste menos de €1000. subjunctive: the house probably doesn’t exist but it’s the one I want to buy.

Quiero comprar una casa que tenga dos pisos y que sea blanca con árboles grandes en el jardín. subjunctive: the house you are describing is STILL a theoretical house which may or may not exist. Until you have “first-hand experience” with the house (You know the one I’m talking about– it’s the white house on Wycliff that has the basketball hoop in the driveway and is next door to Profe’s house) you MUST use the subjunctive.

No hay nadie que… The expression no hay nadie que… is ALWAYS followed by the subjunctive because the person is, by definition, nonexistent so you CAN’T, by definition, have experience with this person.

No hay nadie en la clase que hable guaraní y turco. There is nobody in the class that speaks Guaraní and Turkish En la clase no hay nadie que sepa preparar mole como mi mamá. There is no one who knows how to cook mole like my mom.