B1.39.1 - The subjunctive to talk about something indefinite: no hay nadie que trabaje; alguien que sepa...

When do we use the subjunctive after que with non‑specific people or things?

• We use the subjunctive after que when the person or thing is not concrete for the speaker.
• “Not concrete” means: we do not know exactly who or what it is, or we are not sure that it exists.

Key idea: If the antecedent (the person/thing before que) is uncertain, non‑specific or denied, use the subjunctive after que.

Step 1 – Identify the antecedent: concrete or not?

First, look at the noun before que. Ask yourself two questions.

1. Do I know exactly who / what it is?
2. Am I sure it exists?

• If the answer is YES → the antecedent is concrete → use indicative.
• If the answer is NO or maybe → the antecedent is non‑concrete → use subjunctive.

Step 2 – Typical expressions that “activate” the subjunctive

These common patterns almost always need the subjunctive after que because the antecedent is non‑concrete.

• No hay nadie que + subjunctive
  • No hay nadie que pueda ayudarme.
• No hay nada que + subjunctive
  • No hay nada que me interese en ese informe.
• Ningún / Ninguna + sustantivo + que + subjunctive
  • No hay ninguna reunión que empiece antes de las nueve.
• Alguien que + subjunctive (when you are looking for this person)
  • Buscamos a alguien que tenga experiencia internacional.
• Un / Una / Unos / Unas + sustantivo + que + subjunctive (profile, type)
  • Quieren una oficina que tenga buena conexión a internet.
• Verbo en condicional + sustantivo + que + subjunctive (hypothetical profile)
  • Contratarían a un sustituto que estuviera disponible los fines de semana.

When you see these patterns, think: non‑concrete antecedent → subjunctive.

Subjunctive vs. indicative with the same noun

Sometimes the same noun can go with indicative or subjunctive. The difference is what the speaker feels: concrete or not.

Self‑check: Can you change the verb after que to the indicative and keep the same meaning? If the meaning changes (from “real” to “ideal / possible”), you have seen the subjunctive effect.

Form: how to build the present subjunctive here

You already know how to form the present subjunctive. Here, you mainly use it for the third person (él / ella / usted / ellos / ellas / ustedes) after que.

Remember: in this structure the subject of the verb after que is usually the non‑specific person / thing you are talking about.

Special case: conditional + antecedent + que

With the conditional (contratarían, pagarían, buscarían…), you usually talk about an ideal, hypothetical profile. So the verb after que is in the subjunctive.

• Contratarían a un candidato que estuviera siempre disponible.
• Pagarían más a un empleado que produjera mejores resultados.

Notice two points:

• The first verb is in conditional (contratarían, pagarían).
• The verb after que is often in the imperfect subjunctive (estuviera, produjera) because you are talking about a hypothetical situation, usually in the present or future.

At B1 level, focus on this idea: conditional + profile + que → subjunctive after que.

Typical doubts and mistakes to avoid

• Mistake 1: Using indicative because you imagine the person clearly.

  Even if you have a very clear “ideal person” in mind, if they do not exist yet for you, use the subjunctive.

  *Buscamos a alguien que sabe tres idiomas.

  → Buscamos a alguien que sepa tres idiomas.

• Mistake 2: Forgetting the subjunctive after negative expressions.

  After no hay nadie / no hay nada / ningún / ninguna, almost always use the subjunctive.

  *No hay nadie que puede resolver este problema.

  → No hay nadie que pueda resolver este problema.

• Mistake 3: Confusing “I know someone” and “I am looking for someone”.

  Conozco a alguien que trabaja en marketing. → indicative (trabaja) because this person is real for you.

  Busco a alguien que trabaje en marketing. → subjunctive (trabaje) because you are searching.

Quick step‑by‑step for your own sentences

1. Say what you want / don’t have / are looking for.
   • Example ideas: buscamos, necesitamos, no hay, no conozco, contratarían…
2. Choose your antecedent.
   • alguien, nadie, un/una + profession, ningún/ninguna + noun…
3. Add que.
4. Decide: concrete or non‑concrete?
   • If you are searching, imagining or denying → non‑concrete → subjunctive.
5. Put the verb after que in the correct subjunctive form.
   • Check: person (él/ella/usted, ellos/ellas/ustedes) and present vs. imperfect, according to the context.

Example walkthrough

1. Idea: You need a flexible lawyer, but you do not have one yet.
2. Start: Necesitamos…
3. Antecedent: un abogado
4. Add que + description: …que sea flexible con los horarios.
5. Full sentence: Necesitamos un abogado que sea flexible con los horarios.

Self‑check: can you recognise the pattern?

For each sentence, ask yourself:

• 1. Is the person/thing concrete for the speaker?
• 2. Is the verb after que in the correct mood (indicative or subjunctive)?

Try with these examples (just think, you do not need to write):

• No hay ningún diseñador que trabaje los domingos.
• Conozco un diseñador que trabaja los domingos.
• Buscamos a alguien que pueda adaptarse rápidamente.
• Tengo un compañero que puede adaptarse rápidamente.

If you can explain why each one uses subjunctive or indicative, you have understood the grammar point.