In Spanish there are two structures we can use to express to make someone do something. Both structures imply forcing or causing.
For example:
Let's see each structure in detail:
1. hacer que + subjunctive
Notice how we always use "que" and how after que the subjunctive is always used. The exact tense used depends on the tense in the main clause with hacer.
- if we use hacer in any present or future tense we then use El Presente de Subjuntivo after que.
- If we use hacer in any past tense, then we use El Pretérito Imperfecto Subjuntivo after que.
- If we use hacer in the present perfect tense, we can have both El Presente de Subjuntivo or El Pretérito Imperfecto Subjuntivo after que:
2. hacer + infinitive
This structure is similar to the English making someone do something. There is no que in this structure using the infinitive. Here, we need to pay special attention to the use of pronouns.
For example:
As you can see in all these examples, as well as using the infinitive after hacer, we use a pronoun to indicate who the action is affecting: him, her, you, us, etc. There is a tendency to use an indirect pronouns me, te, le, nos, os, les when the verb is transitive. However, if the verb used is intransitive, we usually use a direct object pronouns: me, te, lo, la, nos, os, los, las.
- "pedir perdón": transitive verb with a direct object: perdón
- "arrodillarse": intransitive verb
Pronouns are not usually included with the structure using que + subjunctive:
While not incorrect, it sounds odd to say:
However with the structure that uses the infinitive we do need the pronoun:
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