Spanish · Chapter 29 · Lesson 15 · Grammar primer
The subjunctive in relative clauses
busco a alguien que sepa, no hay nadie que pueda - when the noun a relative clause describes is unknown, wanted or non-existent, the verb goes subjunctive; when it is specific and real, it stays indicative.
The short version
Known thing indicative, wanted thing subjunctive
No trigger word decides this one, you do. If the noun is a specific thing you have in mind, the clause is indicative: encontré un piso que tiene balcón. If it is a description of something wanted, sought, questioned or denied, it goes subjunctive. Feel the antecedent first, choose the mood second.
Busco un piso que tenga balcón.
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