Subjunctive in relative clauses: busco a alguien que…
B2Grammar path · Lesson 68 of 86 · Stage B2 · The past subjunctive
When you look for, need or want a person or thing you do not know exists, the verb in the relative clause goes into the subjunctive. The core idea is that you are not stating a fact about that person or thing, only describing what you hope to find. The pattern is noun + que + subjunctive, as in busco a alguien que hable inglés. It is most often confused with ordinary relative clauses in the indicative: if the person or thing is known and real, use the indicative, as in conozco a alguien que habla inglés; if it is unknown or does not exist, use the subjunctive.
Practise this lesson · 10 sentences
Form
buscar / necesitar + a alguien / un(a) + sustantivo + que + subjuntivono hay nadie / ningún + sustantivo + que + subjuntivo¿Hay alguien / algún + sustantivo + que + subjuntivo?conocer / tener + a alguien / un(a) + sustantivo + que + indicativoWhen to use it
Looking for or needing something unknown
After busco, necesito or quiero you describe the features you want, not a specific person or thing you know. So the verb after que is in the subjunctive.
Nonexistent people or things
After nadie, nada, ningún or ninguna, the antecedent is denied to exist. The clause describing it always takes the subjunctive.
Open-ended choices with lo que, donde
When lo que, donde or como refers to whatever, wherever or however, not something already known, the verb that follows is in the subjunctive. The meaning is close to 'whatever' or 'wherever'.
Signal words
Don't confuse it with
Frequently asked questions
When does a relative clause take the subjunctive?
When the person or thing described is unknown, hypothetical or nonexistent. If it is real and known, use the indicative.
Is it busco a alguien que habla or busco a alguien que hable?
Normally que hable, because you do not know who the person is yet. Que habla is only used when you are looking for a specific person you already know.
Why does no hay nadie que always take the subjunctive?
Because the sentence denies that such a person exists, so it cannot be described as a fact. Example: No hay nadie que sepa la respuesta.
Do I need the a in busco a alguien que?
Yes, alguien and nadie always take personal a. With an unspecified person it can be dropped: Busco un profesor que enseñe francés.
Is haz lo que quieras the same structure?
Yes. Here lo que means whatever, something not yet defined, so the verb takes the subjunctive.