Question about the subjunctive

Question

If you have a phrase like:

Para los que ...

Where you are addressing a specific audience, do you have to use the subjunctive?

Also, for a phrase such as: a las personas que (están/estén) escuchando ,,,

Which one would be used? I'm confused about this.

Thank you!

Welcome to SpanishDict. Is this your homework? - rac1, May 9, 2016

It seems to be a general question looking for more knowledge on the subject. :) - bosquederoble, May 9, 2016

Please fill in your user profile with your gender and levels of proficiency in English and Spanish. This information is very important for participants in the forum. You may tell us your general location also if you wish. Thanks! - Jubilado, May 9, 2016

Bosquederobl is correct, I was just unsure and figured asking a question would be the best way to learn. - olympiad42, May 9, 2016

@ Bosque...that doesn't mean it's not a homework question. - rac1, May 10, 2016

@ olympiad42...Just be sure to read the rules and guidelines before posting and abide by them and you will be fine. - rac1, May 10, 2016

Answer 1

To my understanding as a fellow learner:

Para los que is not para que (which, yes, always requires the subjunctive).

Para los que will be indicative if you assert such people exist. It will be subjunctive if such people may or may not exist.

Para los que juegan nuestro nuevo videojuego....- for those that are playing our new videogame....

Para los que jueguen nuestro nuevo videojuego...- for anyone who might play (or be playing) our new videogame...

It's no different if you switch para and a- in your example if you know people are listening, están, if you are addressing anybody that might be listening, estén.

Reference:

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

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.

Please go to the link and read the whole thing, it is fairly short and quite helpful.

Very good link! Thanks from me! - Jubilado, May 9, 2016

This helped me a lot, thank you! - olympiad42, May 9, 2016

De nada. :) - bosquederoble, May 9, 2016