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14.2: The subjunctive with indefinite antecedents

  • Page ID
    173633
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    The subjunctive with indefinite antecedents

    Sometimes it is not obvious if a subject exists or not. When this happens, it is called an indefinite antecent and requires the subjunctive.  If the subject is obvious, it is a definite antecedent and requires the indicative. For example

    ¿Hay alguien que pueda conjugar todos los verbos?                                                                                                                                                                        Is there anyone who can conjugate all of the verbs?                                                                                                                                                                        We do not know if this person exists === > use the subjunctive

    Hay muchos estudiantes que entienden todos los verbos.                                                                                                                                                              There are students who understand the verbs.                                                                                                                                                                              There are, we know this person exists === > use the indicative

    Queremos una profesora que cancele la clase.                                                                                                                                                                                We want a teacher who cancels class.                                                                                                                                                                                            We want but do not have ===> use the subjunctive

    Tenemos una profesora que es divertida.                                                                                                                                                                                         We have at teacher who is fun.                                                                                                                                                                                                     We have, she is definite === > use teh indicative                   

    Some verbs that indicate an indefinite subject are

    buscar                to look for

    ¿Hay?                Is/are there?

    no hay               There are none

    necesitar            to need

    querer                to want

    Some verbs that indicate definite subjects are

    hay                    there is/are

    tener                  to have

    In some ways, this is a brief review of everything we have learned about the subjunctive.  The subjunctive indicates Wishing, Emotion, Doubt, Denial, Impersonal Expressions, and God/Allah/a Higher Power = Ojalá.  An indefinite antecedent can be a part of these things. On the other hand, a definite antecedent or subject is something definite and is not part of the WEDDING.

    So, let's practice!

    Prácticas.

    A. Complete each sentence with the appropriate form of the verb.

    1. Quiero tener una profesora que (poder) ___________________ cantar bien.

    2. Tengo unos estudiantes que (ser) ___________________ muy inteligentes.

    3. Hay estudiantes que (trabajar) ___________________ mucho en esta clase.

    4. ¿Hay profesores que (ser) ___________________ más locos que Hatcher?

    5. Ahora buscamos un app que nos (ayudar) _____________________ más que Duolingo, Conjuguemos, y Quizlet.

    6. Tenemos un libro que no (costar) _______________________ nada.

    7. Necesitamos una computadora que (poder) _______________________ incluir los acentos ortográficos.

    8. Necesitamos un trabajo que no (demandar) ____________________ tantas horas.

    9. No hay nadie en esta clase que (ser) ________________________ perezoso

    10. ¿Hay estudiantes que no (hacer) ______________________ la tarea?

    11. Hay muchos estudiantes que (esperar) ________________________ para comprar café.

    12. Buscamos a una persona que (ser) ________________________ más loca que nuestra profesora.

     

    B. Complete each sentence in a logical way.

    1. Yo busco una clase que ____________________________________________.

    2. Yo tengo una clase que ____________________________________________.

    3. En esta universidad hay ______.______________________________________.

    4. ¿Hay alguien en la universidad que __________________________________?

    5. No conocemos a nadie que _________________________________________.

    6. Tengo una clase que __________________________________________.

    7. Buscamos una clase que _____________________________________________.

    8. Necesito un trabajo que ____________________________________________.

     

    C.  What is an indefinite antecedent? What is a definite antecedent? Which requires the subjunctive? Why? Give an example of a sentence with an indefinite and a definite antecedent.

                                                        

     

     

     

     

     

     

     


    14.2: The subjunctive with indefinite antecedents is shared under a CC BY 4.0 license and was authored, remixed, and/or curated by LibreTexts.