El hecho de que + subjunctive

C1

Grammar path · Lesson 81 of 86 · Stage C1 · Subjunctive nuances

At C1 you need this structure to name a fact and then evaluate it, as in 'the fact that you were late annoys me'. The core idea is that the fact is already known. What matters is your comment on it, so the verb after el hecho de que is usually subjunctive. Build it as El hecho de que + subjuntivo + main verb: El hecho de que vivas lejos no es un problema. Learners often confuse it with the indicative use. When you simply report a new fact, especially after a verb as in 'se debe al hecho de que', natives may use the indicativo.

Practise this lesson · 10 sentences

Form

Affirmative (present)El hecho de que + presente de subjuntivo + verbo principal
El hecho de que vivas lejos no es un problema.The fact that you live far away isn't a problem.
NegativeEl hecho de que + no + subjuntivo + verbo principal
El hecho de que no haya llamado me preocupa.The fact that he hasn't called worries me.
PastEl hecho de que + imperfecto de subjuntivo + verbo en pasado
El hecho de que llegaran tarde molestó a todos.The fact that they arrived late bothered everyone.
After a prepositionpreposición + el hecho de que + subjuntivo
Esto no tiene nada que ver con el hecho de que seas joven.This has nothing to do with the fact that you're young.

When to use it

A fact as the subject, then evaluated

Put the fact first, then say what it causes or means. This is the most common use.

El hecho de que tengamos poco tiempo nos obliga a priorizar.The fact that we have little time forces us to prioritize.
El hecho de que hablen tres idiomas les abre muchas puertas.The fact that they speak three languages opens many doors for them.

After verbs of emotion

Use it after verbs like alegrar, molestar, preocupar or sorprender to stress that you are reacting to a specific fact.

Nos alegra el hecho de que estés mejor.We're glad that you're feeling better.
Le preocupa el hecho de que sus hijos pasen tanto tiempo en línea.She's worried about the fact that her children spend so much time online.

Rejecting a conclusion

Often paired with no significa or no quiere decir to say that a fact does not lead to the conclusion others assume.

El hecho de que sea tu jefe no le da derecho a gritarte.The fact that he's your boss doesn't give him the right to yell at you.
El hecho de que algo salga en internet no lo hace verdad.The fact that something appears on the internet doesn't make it true.

Signal words

el hecho de quedel hecho de queal hecho de quecon el hecho de que

Frequently asked questions

Is el hecho de que always followed by the subjunctive?

Usually yes, especially when it opens the sentence and you evaluate the fact. When you only report a new fact, for example after se debe al hecho de que, natives may use the indicative.

Why use the subjunctive if the fact is true?

Here the subjunctive does not mean doubt. It marks the fact as known, so what you are really saying is your reaction or judgment.

Which tense goes after el hecho de que in the past?

If the main verb is past, use the imperfect subjunctive: El hecho de que llegaran tarde molestó a todos. If the main verb is present but the fact is past, use haya + participio.

Can I drop el hecho de and just say que?

Yes. Que llegues tarde me molesta is correct and also takes the subjunctive. El hecho de que is more emphatic and more formal.

After a preposition, is it del hecho de que or de el hecho de que?

Always contract to del and al: a pesar del hecho de que, debido al hecho de que.

More in The subjunctive

Present subjunctive: formsB1Subjunctive after wishes: quiero queB1Subjunctive after emotions: me alegra queB1Subjunctive after doubt and denial: no creo queB1Subjunctive after impersonal expressions: es importante queB1Cuando + subjunctive (future time clauses)B1Para que + subjunctiveB1OjaláB1Imperfect subjunctiveB2Pluperfect subjunctiveB2Subjunctive in relative clauses: busco a alguien que…B2Aunque + indicative or subjunctiveB2Como si + subjunctiveC1Decir que + indicative or subjunctiveC1
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