Why is this "Saliera" subjunctive in this sentence?

Question

"Pero alguien hizo que Merche saliera corriendo."

The word 'saliera', why is it subjunctive here?

Answer 1

When one person's will over another person is expressed in spanish, the focus is given to the will or desire of the first person and is taken off the second person and the desired action by using the subjunctive. Whether the second person does or doesn't do, did or didn't do what the first person wanted is immaterial.

Great answer! - francobollo, Dec 30, 2012

Yes! Good clear answer. Nothing to do with uncertainty. - annierats, Dec 30, 2012

Gracias amigos :) - Kiwi-Girl, Dec 31, 2012

Answer 2

Kiwi is on the money here. The verb "hacer que" meaning "to cause" is similar to a family of verbs ranging in influence from suggestion to compulsion: For example.

exigir que - to require that / causar que - to cause / suplicar que - to implore to

The subject of the first clause is "alguien". The verb is in the preterite "hizo que" meaning compelled, forced, made. The verb in the second clause in the subjunctive (as Kiwi said) shows that the subject of that clause (Merche) was forced or compelled to do something (came out running). The verb is in the Past Subjunctive to be in agreement with the verb in the main clause which is in the preterite.

"But someone made Merche come out running"

I offer this as an add-on to Kiwi's excellent answer

nice job :) - Kiwi-Girl, Dec 31, 2012

Answer 3

-- In general, the subjunctive mood is subjective and possible (but not certain).

I am not a native but my attempt:

I don't have the rest of the context, but I think it's subjunctive because of an uncertainty that Merche was made to run.

Answer 4

Subjunctive is also used for Influence, and I think that is where this one seems to fall. My grammar book used the phrase, iirc "after verbs of influence"

Deseo que hagas algo Mando que hagas algo Sugiero que haga algo etc etc etc.

Could be wrong, but that´s my take.

You are perfectly correct. I have a list of 30 verbs of influence of the form "verb + que" including the three you mentioned. - padrin, Dec 31, 2012

Answer 5

I am not sure this sentence is constructed properly or even makes a lot of sense. The subjunctive usually is used when there is a main clause that introduces uncertainty. I do not see that in the sentence. The subjunctive imperfect is used when that main clause is in the imperfect or preterite. Again, I do not see that in this sentence. Perhaps something was left off.

Answer 6

Alquien hizo is a doubtful expression and therefore subjunctive is used

Answer 7

I think I found the answer. Check this out:

http://www.spanishdict.com/translate/hacer

Search for 'hacer que' with your browser in that page.

The 14th translation says:

(ser causa de)

hacer que alguien haga algo -> to make somebody do something

has hecho que se enfadara -> you've made him angry

me hizo reír -> it made me laugh

So, I'll take what comes after 'hacer que' as subjunctive.

Thank you! (Muchas gracias)