Why the use of subjunctive in this sentence

Question

Hello, why is 'excitar' subjunctive in this sentence?

"¿Sabías que la pornografía hace que los hombres se exciten menos?

PS: again, sorry for the subject matter. I'm reading Cosmopolitan in Spanish... lol

Thank you!

It's because it follow's 'que' in a subordinate clause. They may get less stirred up?? - annierats, Oct 28, 2012

Answer 1

Maybe the idea is that "it seems to make but is expressed in the verb phrase following the hacer que. Or maybe it makes them apparently so.

If it's from a native source you always have to assume they have it right. Now I'll go check the rules on the Subjunctive (as I'm sure you have) and see if I can find a grammatical answer.

I've looked it up! It's under the idea of Recommend in the WIERDO part in the Grammar section, use of Subjunctive. But there isn't an explanation for each verb give (hacer is one). Do you think my reasoning is sound?

I didn't see hacer under Recommend. ? I guess I don't understand how hacer qualifies as recommending something? - Anna, Oct 28, 2012

Ok I see it. It appears as though the subj follows "hacer que" - Anna, Oct 28, 2012

Answer 2

Go to this link and learn why the subjunctive is needed with hacer que

awesome link :) - Kiwi-Girl, Oct 28, 2012

Answer 3

Sorry, my computer shut down and I had a weak internet link. This should take you to where I found it.

Go to Learn, Spanish Grammar,Verbs, Subjunctive vs. Indicative - WEIRDO vs. SPOCK, find: Words or Phrases that Indicate the Subjunctive or Indicative, then click on Recommendations and you will find hace in the list.

Answer 4

From About.com: The same is the case with hacer que when it means "to make someone do something." In other words, it's the use of hacer que that prompts use of the subjunctive mood, not the reality of the event.

I do not see anyone asking anyone to do anything. Regardless of the use of "que", what I see is the use of a question, did you know......and this triggers the indicative.

SPOCK: Knowledge and understanding: Creer, saber, averiguar, leer, enterarse de, aprender, etc. (Subtitle: Words or Phrases that Indicate the Subjunctive or Indicative)

Also, I only see a main clause and not a second, dependent clause.

Therefore, in my opinion Cosmopolitan has made an error and they should be using the indicative; se excitan.

No error by Cosmopolitan, bandit. Hacer que / Obligar a que / Exigir que all take the subjunctive. - francobollo, Oct 28, 2012

Answer 5

More examples with hacer que.

Mi madre hace que me levante todos los días a las 7 am para ir a clases. (subjunctive). It's no different than Mi madre me obliga a que me levante.... (levantar in the subjunctive in both cases)

A variant using hacerse as a pronominal verb.

Mi madre me hace levantar todos los días a las 7 am para ir a clases (levantar in the infinitive).

Si no cumples tu promesa, haré que te arrepientas toda la vida (arrepentirse in the subjunctive).

Variant:

Si no cumples tu promesa te haré arrepentirte toda la vida (arrepentirse in the infinitive)

I hope this helps!