Triggering the Subjuntive

Question

Hello, in this exercise, the first sentence has two uses of "que", the first one does not trigger the subjunctive, but the second one does. I think it may be a useful teaching point if you could explain to me which of the many subjuntive rules apply here. Many thanks

"Soy el dueño de una empresa muy importante que está buscando a alguien que hable tres idiomas extranjeros."

Marsha Cornelius · Answer

First que - the sentence is in the indicative because the company is actually in the process of looking - que está buscando. Second que - the sentence is in the subjunctive - [hable] because the  person they are looking for may or may not exist.

Inma Sánchez · Answer

Hola Paul
Exactly as Marsha said. There are two relative clauses, one referring to the company and an action that reflects "a fact" (it's certain/true/happening): they ARE looking for someone; the second one is referring to that "someone" (whoever it is...) who can speak 3 languages. As the company doesn't know who this will be, now it's using the subjunctive,(unknown).
But here is a Kwiziq lesson precisely about this. Have a look here.
Saludos
Inma