language. In the sentence below, for example, both subjunctive mida and
indicative mide(from medir ‘to measure’) are possible, but they have very
different implications, although the English translation remains the same:
Lucas quiere subir una montaña que mida/mide más de 3000
metros.
Lucas wants to climb a mountain that is more than 3000 metres high.
The version with subjunctive midastates merely that Lucas has an objec-
tive, namely to climb a mountain (any mountain) that exceeds 3000 metres
in altitude. In other words, the antecedent of the relative pronoun queis
something that is unknown and this is why the subjunctive is used in the
relative clause.
The version with indicative midestates that Lucas is intending to climb a
particular mountain, which happens to be more than 3000 metres high. In
this case, then, the antecedent is known and this is why the indicative is
used in the relative clause.
Other examples are:
¿Conoces a algún vecino que me ayude?
Do you know a local who can help me?
Los libros que no tengan cubierta han de ser retirados.
Books which have no cover are to be withdrawn.
Necesito a alguien que limpie la casa.
I need someone to clean the house.
Although the subordinate clause is frequently introduced by the relative
pronoun que, in this usage it may be introduced by other relatives: cuyo
‘whose’, como‘how(ever)’, cuando ‘when(ever)’, cuanto ‘all that’, donde
‘where(ever)’, quien ‘who(ever)’,lo que ‘what(ever)’, andel/la/los/las que
‘which(ever)’:
Colócalos como te parezca mejor.
Arrange them as you see fit.
Ven cuando quieras.
Come whenever you want.
Debes buscar un país donde el clima sea templado.
You must find a country where the climate is mild.
Escribe lo que te dé la gana.
Write whatever you want.
Compra el que más te guste.
Buy whichever one you like best.
1111
2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
1011
1
12111
3 4 5 6 7 8 9
20111
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
30111
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
40
41111
Subordinate
queclauses
151
