Why do you use the subjunctive in the phrase "¿Alguien que hable español?"?

Question

I've seen both "¿Alguien que hable español?" and "¿Alguien que habla español?", but I've seen more of the first phrase. Why use the subjunctive in this case? Then why not use the subjunctive in a question like "Tú tienes la tarea?"?

Answer 1

The thing is, que introduces a clause and when it's not there, there's no need for the subjunctive mood to be invoked in a sentence like ¿tú tienes la tarea? (NOT ¿tú tengas la tarea?)

1. The subjunctive is imprecise, that's why when arriving a place which you're not sure if they speak Spanish or not, you invoke it. ¿Alguien que hable español? (= I'm looking for someone speaking this language — I wish there was someone — because I don't know if I'll find one.)
2. However, if we already know any Spanish speakers, we don't use the indicative mood unless we want to know information about the person.
   ¿Alguien que habla español también sabe inglés?
3. In affirmative sentences, the nuances are more visible. Compare:
   Alguien que hable español será de mucha ayuda. (= but we still don't find the person.)
   Alguien que habla español es de mucha ayuda. (= this is a fact.)

useful. I should have explained the tener sentence. - Mardle, Aug 9, 2016

Answer 2

The reason why it is in the subjunctive is because it's something that's not confirmed/there is possibility

Is there someone who can speak spanish? - it's not definite if there is or if there isn't, that's why it's in subjunctive. It just depends on the situation. In this situation, it's more a question of if there is possibly anyone that can speak spanish, thus the subjunctive is used.

Answer 3

Then why not use the subjunctive in a question like "Tú tienes la tarea?"?

Actually, we can provide a subjunctive mood in cases like these when the subjunctive conjugation simply doesn´t fit by using the future tense, ie: ¿Tendrás la tarea?

In this case we are really saying "Might you have the homework?" and context indicates that you mean in present rather than in future.

Answer 4

It looks to me to be a phrase rather than a complete sentence. Sometimes there are phrases/sentences where you can choose subjunctive or indicative. They are both correct but change the meaning of the sentence, often subtly. I remember learning the difference when you are looking for a person who you know exists or someone you hope exists or perhaps a product when you visit a shop.

Here is part of an explanation on a useful site:

jehle - explanation

Some phrases are followed more often by the subjunctive.

I use wordreference which includes a discussion forum. If you put 'alguien que' in there it will probably come up with various possibilities.

I don't know how much you have learnt about the subjunctive but do you have homework is just a straightforward question.

Hopefully a native speaker and or a teacher will give you a clearer explanation.