Subjunctive for Uncertain or Non-

This rule depends on the antecedent. That is just a fancy word for the noun you are describing. In the sentence "I want a car that is fast," the word "car" is the antecedent. In Spanish, you look at that noun and ask one question. Is this a specific, known thing? Or is it a vague, "maybe" thing? If you use el or la (the), you usually know the thing. This calls for the Indicative. If you use un or una (a/an), you are often looking for anything that fits. This calls for the Subjunctive. It is a choice between "The One" and "Any One." It's like the difference between your specific house and any house with a pool. One is a fact. The other is a requirement or a dream. Even if you are 99% sure the thing exists, if you haven't found it yet, use the Subjunctive.

1. 1To build these sentences, follow these four simple steps:
2. 2Identify the Object: Start with your main noun (the antecedent). Examples: un libro, una casa, alguien.
3. 3Choose your Article: Use un or una if the object is unknown. Use el or la if it is specific.
4. 4Add the Connector: Use the word que (that/who) to link the noun to the description.
5. 5Conjugate the Verb: If the object is unknown or doesn't exist, use the Subjunctive form. For -ar verbs, use -e. For -er/-ir verbs, use -a.
6. 6Example: Busco (I search) + una secretaria (a secretary) + que (who) + hable (speaks - Subjunctive) + inglés.

Use the Subjunctive when you are searching, wanting, or needing something that isn't "locked in" yet.

• Searching: Use it with buscar. Busco un restaurante que sea barato. You don't have a specific one in mind yet.
• Needing: Use it with necesitar. Necesito un amigo que me escuche. You are looking for anyone who fits the bill.
• Wanting: Use it with querer. Quiero una pizza que no tenga cebolla. You are stating a preference for something that hasn't been made yet.
• Non-existence: This is a big one. If you say something *doesn't* exist, you must use the Subjunctive. No hay nadie que sepa la verdad. Since the person doesn't exist, they can't be a "fact."
• Questions: Use it when asking if something exists. ¿Hay algún hotel que tenga wifi?. You are literally asking if the reality exists.

If the thing is real, right there, or specific, stick to the Indicative. This is the "normal" Spanish you learned first.

• Specific Items: Busco el libro que tiene la portada roja. You know the book. You just can't find it right now.
• Possessions: If you already have it, it is real. Tengo un perro que corre mucho. The dog is real and he is yours.
• Known People: Conozco a un hombre que vive en Madrid. He is a specific person you know.
• Facts: Esta es la casa que cuesta mucho. You are pointing at a specific house with a specific price.

Think of the Indicative as a camera taking a photo of reality. Think of the Subjunctive as a drawing of something you hope to find.

One of the biggest traps is using the Indicative after no hay (there isn't/aren't). If you say No hay nada que me gusta, you are mixing your signals! Because the thing doesn't exist, it can't be a fact. It must be No hay nada que me guste.

Another mistake is forgetting that the article matters. Busco un guía que hable inglés (Subjunctive) means you need any guide. Busco al guía que habla inglés (Indicative) means you are looking for Joe, the specific guide who speaks English. Changing that one little article changes the whole vibe of the sentence.

Yes, even native speakers might slip up in very casual speech. But if you want to sound polished, keep your "existence check" active. It's like a grammar traffic light. Un is yellow (proceed with Subjunctive). El is green (go with Indicative).

Let's compare these two in a restaurant scenario.

1. 1Scenario A: You are hungry. You tell the waiter, Quiero un plato que sea picante. You are browsing the menu. You don't know what the dishes are. You just want something spicy. Subjunctive wins here.
2. 2Scenario B: You see your friend eating a delicious-looking stew. You point at it and say, Quiero el plato que es picante. You are talking about *that* specific stew. It is real and right there. Indicative is the way to go.

In a job interview, you might say: Busco una empresa que valore mi talento. You haven't chosen the company yet. If you are already hired, you'd say: Trabajo en una empresa que valora mi talento. Real life uses facts. The job hunt uses the Subjunctive.