Podemos or Podamos?

Question

My teacher told me that to say "there is nothing we can do" is no hay nada que podamos hacer. Why not "podemos"? Why use the subjunctive?

Answer 1

http://users.ipfw.edu/jehle/courses/subjadj.htm

I will quote parts of this, but it would be of benefit to go to the site and read the entirety:

The rule: In Spanish, the subjunctive is used in an adjectival clause when the antecedent is indefinite or unknown or is nonexistent or negated; in contrast, the indicative is used when the antecedent is a definite or existing one.

x

Tengo un perro que ladra mucho. Indicative There is a definite antecedent, a dog which I own.

No tengo un perro que ladre mucho. Subjunctive The antecedent is negated; such a dog doesn't exist.

Quiero un perro que ladre mucho. Subjunctive There is an indefinite antecedent; such a dog may or not exist.

x

The subjunctive is used in an adjectival clause when antecedent is negated: No hay nada aquí que me guste. There is nothing here I like.

:) - ian-hill, Feb 8, 2016

Answer 2

your teacher is right. In this sentence I see three .reasons for use the sudjuntive. 1- It is an impersonal sentence. 2-It is an opinion. 3- Is a way to say that something is impossible

with the structure "no hay nada que" use the sudjuntive

please correct my English

"Your"...."use of the"......It's a way"...."With".... "Please".... - rac1, Feb 8, 2016

Thank you astotxua. - annierats, Feb 8, 2016