The subjunctive in relative clauses Abriendo Paso pgs

1. The subjunctive is used after a relative pronoun (usually que) when the clause introduces: I. Refers to a person, place, or thing which may not exist or may not be found. - Necesitas un libro que lo explique - Necesitas un libro que lo explique You need a book that explains it You need a book that explains it - Busco una chica que conozca este programa para la computadora para la computadora I am looking for a girl who knows this computer I am looking for a girl who knows this computer program program

Note that the personal a is omitted. -Buscamos una persona que sepa español However, when the pronouns alguien, nadie, alguno(a, os, as) and ninguno(a) –when referring to people- are the direct object, then a personal a is required. -Buscamos a alguien que sepa español

II. Refers to a negative antecedent such as nadie, nada, or ninguno. - No conozco a nadie que sepa hablar esperanto - I do not know anyone who knows how to speak Esperanto - No hay ningún estudiante que pueda resolver el problema problema - There is no student who can solve the problem - There is no student who can solve the problem

2. The Indicative is used after a relative pronoun when the clause the pronoun introduces refers to a person, place, or thing which definitely exist: -Alejandro busca una computadora que no cueste mucho -Alejandro is searching for a computer that doesn’t cost much -Elena tiene una computadora que costó poco -Elena has a computer that cost very little Pedro: ¿Hay alguien que tenga un bolígrafo? Is there someone who has a ballpoint pen? Is there someone who has a ballpoint pen? Paco: Sí, hay alguien que tiene un bolígrafo Yes, there is someone who has a ballpoint pen Yes, there is someone who has a ballpoint pen

Now let’s analyze the previous examples: Now let’s analyze the previous examples: In the first sentence of each pair, the existence of the antecedent is in question and, therefore, the subjunctive is used. In the first sentence of each pair, the existence of the antecedent is in question and, therefore, the subjunctive is used. -¿Hay alguien que tenga un bolígrafo? -¿Hay alguien que tenga un bolígrafo? -Maybe nobody has a pen so such a person does not exist -Maybe nobody has a pen so such a person does not exist In the second sentence of each pair, the speaker affirms that there is such an object or person, so the indicative is used In the second sentence of each pair, the speaker affirms that there is such an object or person, so the indicative is used -Sí, hay alguien que tiene un bolígrafo -Sí, hay alguien que tiene un bolígrafo - Yes, the existence of someone with a pen has been confirmed. - Yes, the existence of someone with a pen has been confirmed.