quelque chose que requires subjonctif ?

Question

Hi why is subjonctif after "quelque chose que vous puissiez poser contre l'arbre". Is there any rule for that ?

Accepted Answer

Hi Stupefaite,
The subjunctive is used here as the existence of this ladder or substitute is in question -
Auriez-vous par hasard chez vous une échelle... quelque chose que vous puissiez poser contre l'arbre = Would you by chance have a ladder ... something that you could place against the tree
So Jim is right it is because of 'Auriez-vous' rather than 'quelque chose'.
Y a t- il aujourd'hui un homme ou une femme politique qui dise la vérité = Is there nowadays a politician male or female who tells the truth 
It supposes that the answer is probably not, but the doubt is clear.
Nous cherchons un étudiant qui puisse aider notre fils avec ses maths = We are looking for a student who could ( may be able to ) help our son with his maths
Again there's a doubt implied.
Hope this helps!

Answer

Hi Stupefaite,The lady is in some distress because her cat is apparently stuck up the tree.The vet suggests the possibility that the lady may have a ladder or some other long item to place against the tree to create a type of ramp.So we have some emotion being expressed, doubt, and desire to resolve the matter.As I see it, there are several reasons why the subjunctive mood would be appropriate although I cannot show proof of "quelque chose que ....." in that particular construction.Hope that this may help.Jim

Answer

The relevant lesson from Laura Lawlesshttps://www.lawlessfrench.com/grammar/subjunctive-with-negative-and-indefinite-pronouns/