Un uso muy práctico y sencillo del subjuntivo

Subjunctive: Describing the Thing I Want

A simple, useful place to use the subjunctive is when I am looking for, wanting or needing a thing with a particular characteristic.

Busco / quiero / necesito + algo + que + subjunctive

I don’t have one particular thing in mind. I’m describing what kind of thing would qualify.

Three very useful verbs for this are:

que tenga → that has
que sea → that is
que pueda + infinitive → that I can / that can

Use tenga when the characteristic is something the thing has.

que tenga + noun

Quiero una casa que tenga una cocina grande.
I want a house that has a big kitchen.
Busco un vestido que tenga mangas.
I’m looking for a dress that has sleeves.
Necesito un coche que tenga más espacio.
I need a car that has more space.
Quiero un hotel que tenga piscina.
I want a hotel that has a pool.
Busco un bolso que tenga muchos bolsillos.
I’m looking for a bag that has lots of pockets.

Use sea when describing what the thing is like.

que sea + adjective

Quiero un vestido que sea cómodo.
I want a dress that is comfortable.
Busco un restaurante que sea tranquilo.
I’m looking for a restaurant that is quiet.
Necesito un coche que sea barato.
I need a car that is cheap.
Quiero una casa que sea pequeña.
I want a house that is small.
Busco un trabajo que sea interesante.
I’m looking for a job that is interesting.

Use pueda + infinitive when the characteristic is something I need to be able to do with it.

que pueda + infinitive

Quiero un vestido que pueda usar para una boda.
I want a dress that I can wear to a wedding.
Busco un libro que pueda leer fácilmente.
I’m looking for a book that I can read easily.
Necesito un bolso que pueda llevar al trabajo.
I need a bag that I can take to work.
Quiero una comida que pueda preparar rápidamente.
I want a meal that I can prepare quickly.
Busco un lugar donde pueda practicar español.
I’m looking for a place where I can practise Spanish.

Busco / quiero / necesito algo…

→ que tenga + noun = that has something
→ que sea + adjective = that is something
→ que pueda + infinitive = that I can do something with

These three give me a simple way to describe the thing I want, need or am looking for.