Subjunctive or Indicative sentences

Question

Am I correct in saying that subjunctive is used when a place is not specific? Here are the beginnings of some sentences that I want to see if subjunctive or indic. I want to make sure these are correct before I conjugate verbs.

1. Buscamos una agencia de viajes que Indicative

2. Estamos esperando el tren que Indicative

3. Tienen unos amigos en Madrid que Indicative

4. Esperan conocer un lugar que Subjunctive

5. Necesitas un hotel que Subjunctive

6. Van a visitar una ciudad que Subjunctive

7. ¿Conoces una guía turística que Indicative

8. Me prohíben que Subjunctive

Answer 1

1) When you're looking for something that you don't know exists or not or you're not sure which one it will be yet then you need to use the subjunctive. If you're looking for something that you know for sure exists you use the indicative.

Eg: I'm looking for the travel agency where Mary works. indiciative

but

I'm looking for a travel agency with the best prices. subjunctive

So for your example because it says 'a' travel agency it sounds like you don't have a particular one in mind so it's more likely to be the subjunctive.

2) When referring to future events, actions etc you use the subjunctive because you can't declare (indicative tense) something that hasn't happened yet.

So if your number two uses the verb llegar it'd also be in the subjunctive.

3, 4 and 5 look good

6) sounds like the city actually exists and is known so indicative if that's the case.

7) Obviously the existence of this guide isn't known for sure so subjunctive.

8) good

This is the best help I can offer without actually knowing how the sentences finish or which verbs follow. All the best

Answer 2

In your examples.there are direct objects which give you the possibility to choose the indicative or the subjunctive.The eighth example obligates you to use the subjunctive.The indicative for real actions and the subjunctive for ireal actions.For example:

1)-Buscamos una agencia de viajes que hace excursiones en España = We look for a travel agency which makes excursions in Spain (indicative; you are sure)

But:

1)--Buscamos una agencia de viajes que pueda hacer excursiones en España = We look for a travel agency which could make excursions in Spain (subjunctive; you aren't sure)

En tus ejemplos hay complementos directos que te dan la posibilitad de elegir al indicativo o subjunctivo.El octavo ejemplo te obliga a usar al subjunctivo.El indicativo para las acciones reales y el subjunctivo para las acciones ireales:

1)-Buscamos una agencia de viajes que hace excursiones en España = We look for a travel agency which makes excursions in Spain (indicativo; estas seguro)

Pero

1)--Buscamos una agencia de viajes que pueda hacer excursiones en España = We look for a travel agency which could make excursions in Spain (subjunctivo; no estas seguro)