"Buscar que"

Question

Hola:

Could you please help me with the meaning of the verb "buscar" when used in the following sentence? I'm confused about the usage with the word "que" after it.

"Puede que escuchen el programa y buscan que les ayudemos a ver lo que dicen las Escrituras sobre los temas prácticos que enfrentan las familias."

Is the "que" used only to signal the use of the subjunctive here? Is it translated at all?

Gracias!

=^.^=

..look for...( look for that, which would help) - annierats, Oct 2, 2012

Answer 1

Buscar que can be synonymous with Esperar que / Pretender que (basically, to expect or to hope that) which are followed by the subjunctive. The "que" is translated as that (but in English you can do without it, as you know).

If you want to avoid using the "que + subjunctive" construction, you can follow the verb buscar with a direct object or noun (y buscan ayuda con las Escrituras...)

I hope this helps.

thinking about it as "to hope that" really helps! Thanks! - crabbycat, Oct 2, 2012