I want a jacket that’s red, not orange: Subjunctive

The 2 clauses / 2 subjects rule works with these as well.

I want a jacket that’s red, not orange

When you’re describing “a” thing that has a particular attribute – subjunctive.

I want a jacket that’s red, not orange. 

These describers might look like:
that has → que tenga / que tiene
that is → que sea / que es
that can → que pueda / que puede
that needs → que necesite / que necesita
that works / that doesn’t work → que funciona / que funcione
that costs less → que cuesta / que cueste
that fits me → que me queda / que me quede
that lives nearby → que vive / que viva
that sells tacos → que vende / que venda
that makes me laugh → que me hace reír / que me haga reír

It’s not really the words “has / is / can / needs” that trigger the subjunctive.
It’s whether the thing being described exists in your world yet or not.

You can recognise this by the use of ‘a’ or ‘the’…
un / una versus el / la …

For example: 

I want the chair that is comfortable.
– we know which chair is comfortable, so we can use indicative
– Quiero la silla que es cómoda.

I want a chair that is comfortable.
– where is this chair? We don’t know. Use the subjunctive
– Quiero una silla que sea cómoda.

I want a house that faces the park. – subjunctive
Quiero una casa dé al parque.

I want the house that faces the park. – indicative
Quiero la casa que da al parque.

New vocab: Dar a (faces)

New vocab: Recámara – bedroom mexican spanish

I’m looking for a house that has 3 bedrooms. – subjunctive
Busco una casa que tenga tres recámeras.

I’m looking for the house with the red door. – indicative
Busco la casa que tiene la puerta roja.

I’m looking for a carpenter that can build a table. – subjunctive
Busco un carpintero que sepa construir una mesa.
Saber; to know / sepa; subjunctive

I’m looking for the carpenter that builds tables. – indicative
Busco el carpintero que construye mesas. 

Useful Formula: Busco (a) alguien que sepa + infinitive
I’m looking for someone that knows how to …

Busco alguien que sepa tocar la guitarra.

Useful Formula: Busco (a) alguien que pueda + infinitive
I’m looking for someone that can…

Busco alguien que pueda trabajar los fiines de semana.

Here’s a mixed batch of 20 sentences, half indicative and half subjunctive contexts, all written the way they’d naturally come up in conversation. I won’t give hints or Spanish — just the English for you to sort through:

  1. I know the guy who fixes cars around here.
  2. I’m looking for a dentist who speaks English.
  3. She bought the dress that was on sale yesterday.
  4. We need a café that stays open late.
  5. I have a neighbor who always plays loud music.
  6. They want a hotel that’s close to the beach.
  7. This is the recipe that my grandma uses.
  8. I’m searching for a book that explains this clearly.
  9. We met the teacher who teaches French.
  10. I want a roommate who doesn’t smoke.
  11. That’s the bus that goes to the airport.
  12. He hopes to find a place that allows pets.
  13. She married the man who lived next door.
  14. We’d like a tour guide who knows the history well.
  15. That’s the coffee shop that has the best croissants.
  16. I need someone who can fix my laptop.
  17. He finally found the apartment that fits his budget.
  18. They’re looking for a park where the kids can play.
  19. This is the song that reminds me of my childhood.
  20. I want a friend who understands me.