Using hacer with subjunctive/infinitive for to make [someone] do something in Spanish

In Spanish there are two structures we can use to express to make someone do something. Both structures imply forcing or causing.

For example:

La hizo ponerse nerviosa.He made her [get/feel] nervous.

Hizo que se pusiera nerviosa.He made her feel nervous.

 Let's see each structure in detail:

1. hacer que + subjunctive

Estás haciendo que me ponga nerviosa.You are making me feel nervous.

No sé cómo pero siempre haces que me sienta bien.I don't know how but you always make me feel good.

Te vamos a ayudar y vamos a hacer que pases este examen sin problema.We're going to help you and get you through this exam with no difficulty.

Ellos siempre hacían que nos sintiéramos culpables.They always made us feel guilty.

¡Ten cuidado! ¡Harás que se caigan todos al suelo!Be careful! You'll drop everything! [lit: you'll make them all fall to the floor]

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 the present perfect tense, we can have both El Presente de Subjuntivo or El Pretérito Imperfecto Subjuntivo  after que:

    Con tus comentarios has hecho que se enfaden contigo.With your comments you've made them cross with you.

    Con tus comentarios has hecho que se enfadaran contigo.With your comments you've made them cross with you.

 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:

Lo hizo arrodillarse para declarar su amor.She made (forced) him get on his knees to declare his love.

Me estás haciendo sentir bien.You're making me feel good.

Nos hacían sentir culpables.They used to make us feel guilty.

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.

Les ha hecho pedir perdón al profesor.He made them apologise to the teacher.
  • "pedir perdón": transitive verb with a direct object: perdón 
Lo hizo arrodillarse para declarar su amor.She made (forced) him get on his knees to declare his love.
  • "arrodillarse": intransitive verb 

Pronouns are not usually included with the structure using que + subjunctive:

Han hecho que reconsidere la oferta.They have made me reconsider the offer.

While not incorrect, it sounds odd to say:

Me han hecho que reconsidere la oferta. (???)

However with the structure that uses the infinitive we do need the pronoun:

Me han hecho reconsiderar la oferta.They have made me reconsider the offer.

 

Want to make sure your Spanish sounds confident? We’ll map your knowledge and give you free lessons to focus on your gaps and mistakes. Start your Brainmap today »

Learn more about these related Spanish grammar topics

Examples and resources

Estás haciendo que me ponga nerviosa.You are making me feel nervous.
No sé cómo pero siempre haces que me sienta bien.I don't know how but you always make me feel good.
Ellos siempre hacían que nos sintiéramos culpables.They always made us feel guilty.
Me estás haciendo sentir bien.You're making me feel good.
Nos hacían sentir culpables.They used to make us feel guilty.
¡Ten cuidado! ¡Harás que se caigan todos al suelo!Be careful! You'll drop everything! [lit: you'll make them all fall to the floor]
Han hecho que reconsidere la oferta.They have made me reconsider the offer.
Con tus comentarios has hecho que se enfadaran contigo.With your comments you've made them cross with you.
Las palabras de aquel chico habían hecho que ella dejara de llamarlo.That boy's words had made her stop calling him.
Con tus comentarios has hecho que se enfaden contigo.With your comments you've made them cross with you.
La hizo ponerse nerviosa.He made her [get/feel] nervous.
Lo hizo arrodillarse para declarar su amor.She made (forced) him get on his knees to declare his love.
Lo hizo arrodillarse para declarar su amor.She made (forced) him to get on his knees to declare his love.
Hizo que se pusiera nerviosa.He made her feel nervous.
Te vamos a ayudar y vamos a hacer que pases este examen sin problema.We're going to help you and get you through this exam with no difficulty.
Me han hecho reconsiderar la oferta.They have made me reconsider the offer.
Los ha hecho pedir perdón al profesor.He made them apologise to the teacher.
Les ha hecho pedir perdón al profesor.He made them apologise to the teacher.
Les han hecho devolver el dinero que robaron.They made them return the money they stole.
Let me take a look at that...