Subjunctive in relative clauses (sought/indefinite antecedent)

Subjunctive in relative clauses (sought/indefinite antecedent) means “Subjunctive in a relative clause when the antecedent is sought or hypothetical (vs indicative for a real one)”. When the antecedent of a relative clause is only sought, desired or hypothetical (its existence is not certain), the verb is in the subjunctive: je cherche quelqu'un qui sache l'anglais. Formation: antécédent recherché/hypothétique + qui/que + subjonctif

Subjunctive in a relative clause when the antecedent is sought or hypothetical (vs indicative for a real one)

C1

Formation

antécédent recherché/hypothétique + qui/que + subjonctif

Explanation

When the antecedent of a relative clause is only sought, desired or hypothetical (its existence is not certain), the verb is in the subjunctive: je cherche quelqu'un qui sache l'anglais. If the person really exists, use the indicative: je connais quelqu'un qui sait l'anglais.

Examples

Je cherche quelqu'un qui sache parler chinois.
I'm looking for someone who can speak Chinese.
Y a-t-il un train qui aille à Nice ?
Is there a train that goes to Nice?

FAQ

Subjunctive in relative clauses (sought/indefinite antecedent) — what does it mean and how is it used?

Subjunctive in a relative clause when the antecedent is sought or hypothetical (vs indicative for a real one). When the antecedent of a relative clause is only sought, desired or hypothetical (its existence is not certain), the verb is in the subjunctive: je cherche quelqu'un qui sache l'anglais. If the person really exists, use the indicative: je connais quelqu'un qui sait l'anglais.

Subjunctive in relative clauses (sought/indefinite antecedent) — how do you form it?

antécédent recherché/hypothétique + qui/que + subjonctif

Learn in the app →