As we have learned in earlier chapters, we use the subjunctive when we have three conditions

met, one of those being some sort of trigger verb that expresses doubt.

From now on, we will be expanding on this theme, and seeing how doubt will play a major

factor in the Spanish language with respect to the use of the subjunctive.

First up, we'll look at the use of subjunctive with adjective clauses.Let's review the conditions

that we need to meet in order to be able to use the subjunctive in Spanish.

If you recall from our previous Present Subjunctive video, we have our three conditions that must

be met in order to use the subjunctive: We need a trigger verb that expresses some element

of desire, emotion or doubt, we need a que—or a relative pronoun that will introduce a subordinate

clause, and we need to make sure that we have both clauses in the sentence.

If we have these conditions met, we will use the subjunctive in the subordinate clause;

in other words, we will change the verb that comes after the relative pronoun to the subjunctive.

For example, Yo recomiendo que ella tenga más paciencia.

We see our trigger verb in 'recomiendo', and then after our 'que' we have our second clause,

and in that second clause we have our verb in the present subjunctive.

Another example: Mis padres dudan que hayamos arreglado nuestros dormitories.

Again, we have our trigger verb in 'dudan', and then after our 'que' we have our second

clause in the present perfect subjunctive.

So let's take this to the next step: using the subjunctive with adjective clauses, or

with clauses that express indefinite or non-existent antecedents.

Both names are used for this grammar element.

But the point here is that we are going to express the idea in one sentence that the

speaker is not quite sure that something exists, or that the speaker knows that this thing

or person does not exist.

Take for example the first sentence here: Busco un apartamento que tenga una terraza.

With this one sentence, I am expressing two different elements, both of which connect

with the subjunctive: first, that this is what I want, que quiero un apartamento que

tenga una terraza.

But there is also something else that I am expressing, que no estoy segura que este apartamento

exista.

Because I do not know that such a place exists—that is to say, it probably does, but I have not

seen one yet—I am expressing doubt about its existence, I will use the subjunctive.

The trigger is not a specific verb in that example sentence, rather it is the entire

situation that is the doubt trigger.

Let's look at a different sentence: Quiero viajar donde haya playas lindas.

Now, really what I am saying with this sentence es que quiero que este lugar de vacación

tenga playas lindas.

At the same time, no estoy segura que este lugar exista.

It is possible that such a place exists—perhaps I have even heard of such a place—but I

do not know of such a place definitively.

Now let's take a look at some of these non-existent antecedents.

Here we are focusing on things that we do not believe to exist.

For example, No hay un lugar que tenga todo lo que quiero.

When someone makes that statement, essentially they are saying que dudan que este lugar sea

verdadero, or that no creen que este lugar exista.

Because the speaker doubts that such a place exists, the subjunctive is used here.

One more example: No hay políticos que sean honestos.

When someone says that sentence, they are essentially saying que dudan que existan políticos

honestos.

Or perhaps another way to think about this is that no creen que haya políticos honestos.

If the person does not believe in their existence, then there is much doubt...and this is what

triggers the use of the subjunctive.

Hopefully this video has clarified the use of the subjunctive in adjective clauses, or

in clauses with indefinite or negative antecedents.