Does hay que take the subjuctive?

Question

I was told by someone that hay que takes the subjunctive. I know that hay que takes the infinitive but does any verb following this take the subjunctive? For example:-

hay que aprender a que te guste

I would welcome any help and examples.

Answer 1

An example of the subjunctive hay que....No hay nadie que quiera sacar la basura.

Wishes, demanding desiring, expecting, ordering and prefering are triggers for subjunctive. Also mentioning the non existence or indedifiniteness of something that is desired falls into this category. Because the noun clause or dependent clause represents what we want from someone else, the actions are possible but may never occur, thus they are subjunctive.

See grammar "Wishes and Wants in subjunctive for more info

Hope this helps

"No hay nadie que quierE sacar la basura". This is a simple fact - indicative should be used - 005faa61, Feb 10, 2013

Answer 2

As far as I know, the term ¨hay que¨is always followed by the infinitive, not the subjunctive or any other conjugated verb for that matter. But if you add a clause after the infinitive, then normal grammar rules apply. So, like the example you gave in your question:

Hay que asegurar (infinitive) que ellos tomen (subjunctive) una decisión cuánto antes. It is necessary to make sure that they make a decision as soon as possible.

Thank you - Chappy55, Feb 10, 2013

are there any instances where the clause after the infinitive would be in the indicative? - Chappy55, Feb 10, 2013

Sinmeta is right and yes, indicative can follow the "hay que" clause, ie: "Hay que tomar en cuenta que nuestro planeta tiene sólo una luna, nada más" (As Sinmeta said "normal grammar rules") - 005faa61, Feb 10, 2013

Sure, here´s an example. Mi hijo, hay que dejar aquí el juguete que te di ayer. Son, you have to leave the toy I gave you yesterday here. - sinmeta, Feb 10, 2013

Answer 3

Welcome to the forum.

I really do not know but, I can see that the use of the conjunctive might be appropriate. The translation of "haber" is usually given as "to have" but it really means more like "to exist." "Hay que" would be translated something like "ït is necessary" which introduces that element of uncertainty (or the other triggers for the subjunctive which in my thinking are similar to uncertainty).

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The example I used is from the grammar section in SD referenced. It used the subjunctive?? - gohern, Feb 11, 2013