Kilo Lingo
Spanish grammar Part of Chapter 29

CEFR B1-B2

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Test yourself (20 questions)

Spanish Subjunctive in Relative (Adjective) Clauses

By Michael McGettrick and Sergio Linares-HernandesUpdated 12 October 2026

If the noun a relative clause describes is a known, real thing, the verb is indicative. If it is only wanted, denied or questioned, the verb is subjunctive:

Quick check

Three quick questions on what you have just read. The full practice is further down.

Spot the mistake

0/3

Each sentence has one wrong verb. Tap it.

  • . - I know someone who speaks Russian.
  • . - I'm looking for someone who speaks Russian.

Known or open: the chart

subjunctive, not known to existindicative, real and knownWhat do the colours mean?

The noun the clause describes is the antecedent. Ask whether the speaker knows it exists:

AntecedentSpanishEnglish
known, real .I have a car that uses little fuel.
wanted .I want a car that uses little fuel.
denied .There's no car that uses so little.
questioned¿ ?Is there a car that uses so little?

The verb sits in the same slot every time; only the mood changes:

Main clause
que
Verb
Rest
.
.
.
¿
?

English uses the same verb in all four. Spanish tells you whether the thing exists.

Wanted, sought, needed

subjunctive, not known to existindicative, real and knownWhat do the colours mean?

, and describe something you do not have yet, so the clause after them is usually subjunctive. Once it is found or known, the indicative:

StatusSpanishEnglish
wanted .I'm looking for a flat with a balcony.
found .I found a flat that has a balcony.
wanted .We need someone who knows English.
known .I work with someone who knows English.
wanted .I want something that doesn't cost much.

The indicative after is possible, but it means one particular thing you know exists: . is a specific person you are trying to find.

No hay nadie que: denied

subjunctive, not known to existindicative, real and knownWhat do the colours mean?

When the main clause says the thing does not exist, the clause is always subjunctive. You cannot describe as real what you have just denied:

DenialSpanishEnglish
.There's nobody who knows.
.There's nothing I like here.
.I don't know any doctor who works on Sundays.
.I don't have a single book about this.

¿Hay alguien que?: questioned

subjunctive, not known to existindicative, real and knownWhat do the colours mean?

A question about whether something exists normally takes the subjunctive, because the speaker does not know yet:

  • ¿ ? - Is there anyone here who speaks English?
  • ¿ ? - Do you know anyone who can fix it?
  • ¿ ? - Is there a train that leaves before eight?

Once someone answers, the person is known, and the indicative comes back: , Ana . (yes, Ana speaks English).

The personal a comes and goes

subjunctive, not known to existindicative, real and knownWhat do the colours mean?

A specific person as the object takes the personal a. An unknown one usually loses it, so the a and the mood often move together:

PersonSpanishEnglish
anyone .I'm looking for an employee who knows German.
one I know .I'm looking for the employee who knows German.
.I'm looking for someone who knows German.
.I can't see anyone who can help.

and always keep the a, even when nobody in particular is meant.

After a superlative or el único

subjunctive, not known to existindicative, real and knownWhat do the colours mean?

After a superlative or , the indicative is the everyday choice. The subjunctive turns up in careful speech and writing, and adds a shade of as far as I know:

MoodSpanishEnglish
everyday .It's the best film I' seen.
careful .It's the best film I' ever seen.
everyday .You' the only person who understands me.

Haga lo que haga: whatever

subjunctive, not known to existindicative, real and knownWhat do the colours mean?

Say a subjunctive twice around , or and you get whatever, wherever, whoever. Both verbs are subjunctive:

PatternSpanishEnglish
whatever , .Whatever he/she does, they ignore him/her.
wherever , .Wherever you go, I'll find you.
whoever , .Whoever it is, they can wait.
whatever , .Whatever it costs, we'll finish it.

The same idea works with a single : the subjunctive leaves it open, the indicative points at something known:

  • . - Do whatever you like.
  • . - I always do what I want.

Mistakes English speakers make

WrongRightWhy
(any one) wanted, not yet found
you have it: indicative
denied: subjunctive
keeps the personal a
sea both verbs are subjunctive

What to do next

  1. Describe your dream flat with , then your real one with .
  2. Do the story and sort drills below.
  3. Then demonstrative pronouns: , , on their own.

Practise: test yourself

Complete the story

0/4

Choose the verb form for each gap.

Looking for a flat

Busco cualquier piso que cerca del centro. Ayer vi uno que un balcón precioso, pero costaba demasiado. En la agencia no hay nadie que ayudarme. Mi hermana vive en un piso que dos dormitorios, y dice que puedo quedarme con ella.

Gap 1 of 4

Sort into groups

0/8

Does the verb after each opening go in the subjunctive or the indicative?

Tap a word, then the group it belongs in.

Spot the mistake

0/4

Each sentence has one wrong verb. Tap it.

Pick the right one

0/4

Choose the form that completes the sentence.

  1. Tengo un amigo que ruso.

  2. No hay nadie aquí que ruso.

  3. Busco un empleado que alemán. (anyone who does)

  4. Digan lo que , voy a ir.

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Frequently asked questions

When does a Spanish relative clause take the subjunctive?
When the noun it describes is not a known, real thing: something wanted or needed ( ), something denied ( ) or something asked about (¿ ?). When the noun is specific and real, the clause stays indicative: .
What is the difference between a and a ?
a means you want anyone at all who speaks English. a means there is one particular person, whom you know speaks English, and you are trying to find them. The everyday search is the first.
Does always take the subjunctive?
Yes. You cannot describe as real something you have just said does not exist: (there's nobody who knows), (there's nothing I like). The same goes for a and .
Does the personal a disappear before an unknown person?
Usually, before an ordinary noun: (any employee). Before and it stays: a , a .
What does ?
Whatever he/she does. Repeating a subjunctive around , or makes the whatever, wherever and whoever pattern: (wherever you go), (whoever it is). Both verbs are subjunctive.