Subjunctive in Adjective Clauses Explained Clearly | Quiz # 3

Do you know when to use the subjunctive in adjective clauses, and when to stick with the indicative?

A subordinate adjective clause is a group of words that describes a noun or pronoun in the main part of a sentence. Choosing the correct mood boils down to one simple rule: certainty vs. uncertainty.

• Use the INDICATIVE when describing something known, specific, or certain.
• Use the SUBJUNCTIVE when describing something unidentified, hypothetical, or uncertain (it may or may not even exist!).

Let’s test your skills and see how well you know this essential Spanish grammar rule!

Before jumping into the quiz, let’s look at how an adjective clause functions in a sentence. Notice how the bolded clause describes the person or object in question:

Indicative (Specific Person):
Conozco a un chico que vive en Santiago. (I know a boy who lives in Santiago.)
Why? The boy is a specific, real person known to the speaker.

Subjunctive (Unknown/Non-existent Person):
No conozco a nadie que viva en Santiago. (I don’t know anyone who fits that description.)
Why? The speaker doesn’t know anyone who lives there, making it uncertain and negative.

Read through the sentences below and decide whether they require the indicative or the subjunctive in adjective clauses.

¿Sabes de alguien que ________ clases de español por Skype? (dar)

• • • Answer: DÉ (Subjunctive)
    • Translation: Do you know of anyone who gives Spanish lessons by Skype?
    • Why: You are asking if someone exists; they are not yet identified.

Sí. Conozco a alguien que ________ clases de español por Skype. (dar)

• • • Answer: DA (Indicative)
    • Translation: Yes. I know someone who gives Spanish lessons by Skype.
    • Why: You are referring to a specific, real person that you know.

Necesitamos a alguien que ________ mucha paciencia. (tener)

• • • Answer: TENGA (Subjunctive)
    • Translation: We need someone who has a lot of patience.
    • Why: You are looking for a hypothetical person who fits this description.

No hay nada en la carta que me ________. (apetecer)

• • • Answer: APETEZCA (Subjunctive)
    • Translation: There’s nothing on the menu that looks good to me.
    • Why: Used after a negative expression (no hay nada) because the item does not exist.

Vivo en un lugar que ________ mucho frío. (hacer)

• • • Answer: HACE (Indicative)
    • Translation: I live in a place that is very cold.
    • Why: You live there right now; it is a known, factual reality.

Deseaba estudiantes que ________ su tarea. (hacer)

• • • Answer: HICIERAN / HICIESEN (Past Subjunctive)
    • Translation: I wanted students that did their homework.
    • Why: This expresses a past wish or ideal standard for students, not necessarily a reality.

Nunca nos ofrecen nada que nos ________. (gustar)

• • • Answer: GUSTE (Subjunctive)
    • Translation: They never offer us anything that we like.
    • Why: Triggered by a negative constraint (nunca… nada).

¿Recuerdas esa casa que te ________? (enseñar)

• • • Answer: ENSEÑÉ (Indicative)
    • Translation: Do you remember that house that I showed you?
    • Why: The house is a specific, real object that both speakers know.

Buscamos una casa que ________ cerca del centro. (estar)

• • Answer: ESTÉ (Subjunctive)
  • Translation: We are looking for a house that is close to downtown.
  • Why: You are searching for a property, but you haven’t found or bought a specific one yet.

Gracias por escuchar.

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