Subjunctive — in Adjective Clauses

Subjunctive — in Adjective Clauses

a) Hypothetical, unknown or non-existent antecedent: The subjunctive is used in all adjective clauses where the relative pronoun que has a negative antecedent or where the antecedent represents some person, thing or idea which is known only in a general, indefinite or hypothetical way. When the antecedent is definite and clear, the indicative must be used. Similarly, the subjunctive is used in a relative clause when the principal clause contains a general negation or a question implying a vague answer.

No hay nadie aquí que sepa español.
There is no one here who knows Spanish.

No tengo ningún libro de gramática que sirva.
I don't have a grammar book that is any good.

¿Hay algún libro que nos guste?
Is there any book that we like?
(So far, there is none.)

Buscan una secretaria que hable español.
They are looking for a secretary who speaks Spanish.

BUT: If the antecedent represents, not an indefinite or hypothetical person but someone definite and known, then the subjunctive is no longer called for and the indicative is used.

Por fin él ha encontrado a una secretaria que habla español.
At last he has found a secretary who speaks Spanish.

b) Adjective clauses introduced by indefinite words: Such indefinite words as quienquiera, (whoever); cualquiera, (whatever); dondequiera, (wherever), are generally followed by the subjunctive if they introduce a hypothetical or unknown situation. Note that all these words are followed by que.

Quienquiera que sea el hombre.
Whoever the man may be.

NOTE: Cualquiera may drop the final -a before a noun it modifies.

Cualquier libro que Ud. tenga.
Whatever book you may have.

Dondequiera que vivamos seremos felices.
Wherever we (happen to) live, we will be happy. (future prediction)

BUT: When the indefinite word is used to introduce a known situation that is already accepted as fact, then the indicative is used.

Dondequiera que vivimos siempre somos felices.
Wherever we live, we are always happy. (present generality)