Why put 'que' in here?

Question

This is the sentence from daily word of SpanishDict:

Julio, no puedo forzarte a que seas generoso, pero recuerda que Santa Claus aún te observa.

I didn't quite understand why we need the first 'que' there before the subjuntivo 'seas generoso'. Could you possibly give me more examples?

Thank you.

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Answer 1

Julio, no puedo forzarte a que seas generoso,

To me the question would be why even go to a subjunctive clause.

Here is the formula for this verb, from our dictionary: forzar a alguien a hacer algo to force sb to do sth; make sb do sth;

The "a" is a given with this verb- see whatever question I answered yesterday about prepositions with verbs- they just are what they are.

Here it is: http://www.spanishdict.com/answers/279471/why-do-i-need-to-put-a-before-certain-infinitives

I would have written: Julio, no puedo forzarte a ser generoso, Julio I can't force you to be generous.

But once you have decided to make a clause with a conjugated verb, you need to follow the preposition with que to introduce the clause, we do it all the time with de.

Después de cenar, vamos al cine. No change in subect, so I used infinitive.

Después de que cenes, vamos al cine. Maybe I already ate, so: after you dine, let's go to the cinema. Change of subject, so I need a new clause. Which requires "que" to introduce it.

Forzar is a verb of influence, so needs subjunctive. I did not see that questioned though. I used subjunctive after después de above as it is introducing an anticipated action.

This is of course all my opinion as an intermediate level learner.

Yes, I'm no more than intermediate, if that.. The road is long and hard.. But my thinking was that if we make it more vague, then the subjunctive becomes an option, if you follow my muddled thoughts.. - annierats, Dec 28, 2015

If I had had to write it ( subjunctive in Spanish) I would have written it as you did, but it is clear to me that the person posting is anative Spanish speaker but anintermediate English speaker. Or thereabouts.. - annierats, Dec 28, 2015

Bosque, that "vamos al cine" has the characteristics of "future" you can also say "iremos al cine" See? - chileno, Dec 29, 2015

Answer 2

Can you please translate to English?

Please fill your language profile.

Thanks.

Edit:

Would "Julio I cannot force that you be generous but remember..." help?

I think that would be the proper outdated subjunctive in English. Right?

In Spanish "Julio no puedo forzarte a ser generoso" is how I translate your rendition of "I can't force you to be generous"

Julio, I can't force you to be generous, but remember that Santa Claus is still watching (you). - jealic, Dec 28, 2015

Thanks. read my edit, please. - chileno, Dec 28, 2015

Yes, edit needs subjunctive, but that does not explain the ' a'.. ?? - annierats, Dec 28, 2015

Also, your English sentence would never be used, although grammatically correct. - annierats, Dec 28, 2015

I canot force you to be.. or else you have to change the sentence abit.. see? I like your cryptic answers, but sometimes no sirven. - annierats, Dec 28, 2015

I see, so 'que' works as 'that' and 'a' goes with 'forzarte'; "I cannot force you to (do what) that (you) be generous" sort of I guess. - jealic, Dec 29, 2015

Annie, I know all that, but for the student seems to be a little "light" :) - chileno, Dec 29, 2015

jealic, that's what you have to work round in your head understanding Spanish in contrast with what you know in English. Once your mind "accepts" things begin to be easier on you. :) - chileno, Dec 29, 2015

Answer 3

It is the word of the day:

Julio, no puedo forzarte a que seas generoso, pero recuerda que Santa Claus aún te observa.

Julio, I can't force you to be generous, but remember that Santa Claus is still watching.

For me it is not the "que" which puzzles me, but the "a"!! If someone could kindly explain.

I thought 'a' means 'to', and I tried to guess that 'a que' should go together here. - jealic, Dec 28, 2015

"Forzar" is one of those verbs that occasionally requieres an "a", Like "empezar a" or "asistir a." - Daniela2041, Dec 28, 2015

Answer 4

I would translate it a bit more loosely: Julia, no puedo forzarte a que seas generoso, pero recuerda que Santa Claus aún te observa.

Julio, I don't want to put pressure on you in order that you might be generous// in order to make you show generosity , but just remember that Father X might still be watching you ( he is a devil that old man, to be honest).

I put it like this to show the effect of the subjunctive and the ' que'. As for the ' a' the Spanish are fond of these sort of constructions, 'a que no me dejas sola' for example... I suspect you can leave the ' a' out and no disaster will follow, but I'm not sure about this.