The Subjunctive and Subordinated Adjective Clauses

Examples of the subjunctive with subordinated adjective clauses:

¿Hay una tienda cerca de aquí en que se vendan huevos?
Is there a store nearby that sells eggs?

The present subjunctive form of vender: vendan is used because the independent clause (Is there a store nearby) is in the present and the action in the dependent clause is not specifically prior to the action in the independent clause.

---

Prefieren amigos que sepan mucho de la política.
They prefer friends who know a lot about politics.

The present subjunctive form of saber: sepa is used because the independent clause (They prefer friends) is in the present and the action in the dependent clause is not specifically prior to the action in the independent clause.

---

Alejandro no pudo hallar una novia que se atreviera a casarse con él.
Alejandro could not find a girlfriend who would dare to marry him.

The imperfect subjunctive form of atreverse: se atreviera is used because the independent clause (Alejandro could not find) is in the preterit and the action in the dependent clause is not specifically prior to the action in the independent clause.

---

José busca una camioneta que no use mucha gasolina.
José is looking for a pick-up truck that doesn't use much gasoline.

The present subjunctive form of user: use is used because the independent clause (Jose is looking for) is in the present indicative tense and the action in the dependent clause is not specifically prior to the action in the independent clause.

---

Deseaban hallar un hotel que tuviera una piscina.
They wanted to find a hotel that had a pool.

The imperfect subjunctive form of tener: tuviera is used because the independent clause (They wanted to find a hotel) is in the imperfect and the action in the dependent clause is not specifically prior to the action in the independent clause.

---

Necesito recuperarme en un lugar que haga buen tiempo.
I need to recover in a place with nice weather.

The present subjunctive of hace: haga is used because the independent clause (I need to recover) is in the present tense and the action in the dependent clause is not specifically prior to the action in the independent clause.

---

Teníamos un perro que tenía ojos de color verde.
We used to have a dog who had green eyes.

This example is not a candidate for the subjunctive. The dependent clause (who had green eyes) refers to a specific dog that certainly existed.

---

Buscaron al periodista que escribió ese articuló.
They looked for the reporter who wrote that article.

This example is not a candidate for the subjunctive. Someone looked for a specific reporter who certainly existed, the reporter who wrote that article.

---

Los Marino tenían un retrato que era de sus bisabuelos.
The Marinos had a portrait of their great-grandparents.

This example is not a candidate for the subjunctive. The Marinos had a specific portrait that certainly existed.

Temporal clause sequence and the subjunctive

These four rules determine which form of the subjunctive should be used in the dependent clause of a sentence consisting of main and dependent clauses:

1. When the action in the main clause precedes or occurs simultaneously with that in the dependent clause, and the main clause is in the present, present perfect, future, future perfect, or command tense, then the dependent clause will be in the present subjunctive form.
2. When the action in the main clause precedes or occurs simultaneously with that in the dependent clause, and the main clause is in the imperfect, pluperfect, or conditional tense, then the dependent clause will be in the imperfect subjunctive tense.
3. When the action in the dependent clause precedes the action in the main clause, and the main clause is in the present, present perfect, future, future perfect, or command tense, then the dependent clause will be in the imperfect subjunctive form.
4. When the action in the dependent clause precedes the action in the main clause, and the main clause is in the imperfect, pluperfect, or conditional tense, then the dependent clause will be in the pluperfect subjunctive tense.

In practice, the subjunctive isn't as complex as this mouthful would make it seem, but it is in fact difficult for the typical student of the language to internalize these rules. Entire books have been written on the subjunctive. True mastery outside of an immersion environment can take years. The keys are to study the subjunctive diligently, to pay close attention when you hear or see it used, and to imitate as best you can until you get it right. Pay special attention to it when you are reading. You'll probably find one or more of the rules to be easier than the others but you'll gradually improve at all four. Be persistent. Never give up!

Rule #1

Me alegro de que ustedes vengan.
I'm happy that you're coming.
Rationale: My happiness (present indicative tense) is occurring prior to your potential coming.

Les he pedido a ustedes que vengan porque necesito su ayuda.
I have asked you to come because I need your help.
Rationale: My asking (present perfect indicative) occurred prior to your potential coming.

Te pediré que vengas.
I will ask you to come.
Rationale: My asking (future indicative) will occur prior to your potential coming.

Rule #2

Me alegraba de que ustedes vinieran.
I was happy that you were coming.
Rationale: My happiness (imperfect tense) occurred prior to your potential coming.

Yo les había pedido a ustedes que vinieran porque necesitaba su ayuda.
I had asked you to come because I needed your help.
Rationale: My asking (pluperfect indicative) occurred prior to your potential coming.

Rule #3

Me alegro de que ustedes vinieran.
I'm happy that you came.
Rationale: My happiness (present indicative tense) occurs after your coming.

Me alegraré de que ustedes vinieran.
I will be happy that you came.
Rationale: My happiness (future indicative) will occur after your coming.

Rule #4

Me alegraba de que ustedes hubieran venido.
Me alegré de que ustedes hubieran venido.
I was happy that you had come.
Rationale: My happiness (imperfect or preterit tense) occurred after your coming.