Spanish grammar
El hecho de que / que + subjunctive as the subject
Argue about facts and what they do or don't prove.
From the scene El hecho de que sea nuevo… (The fact that it is new…)
In short
A whole clause as subject usually takes the subjunctive: el hecho de que sea nuevo. So does no significa que.
Your turn
Which one goes with doesn't mean it is better?
Options: que tenga ascensor · no significa que sea mejor · el hecho de que sea nuevo
Show answer
doesn't mean it is better → no significa que sea mejor
How it works
When a whole clause is the subject of the sentence ("the fact that it is new…"), Spanish usually puts it in the subjunctive.
Your turn
Pick the word that fits the line.
Y que yo (blank) ochenta años no significa que sea tonta.
Options: tendré · tenga · tener
Show answer
Y que yo tenga ochenta años no significa que sea tonta.
And being eighty doesn't mean I'm stupid.
Good to know
El hecho de que sea nuevo… In speech you can drop el hecho de and just start with que: que tenga ascensor… After no significa que / no implica que, the subjunctive again.
Good to know
Demuestra que (it shows that) states a fact, so it takes the indicative.
the fact that it is new el hecho de que sea nuevo
Elena
El hecho de que sea nuevo no significa que sea mejor.
The fact that it's new doesn't mean it's better.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
(blank) no significa que sea mejor.
Options: No implica que tenga alma · El hecho de que sea nuevo · Que tenga ascensor
Show answer
Elena
El hecho de que sea nuevo no significa que sea mejor.
The fact that it's new doesn't mean it's better.
doesn't mean it is better no significa que sea mejor
Elena
El hecho de que sea nuevo no significa que sea mejor.
The fact that it's new doesn't mean it's better.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
El hecho de que sea nuevo (blank).
Options: no implica que tenga alma · no significa que sea mejor · que tenga ascensor
Show answer
Elena
El hecho de que sea nuevo no significa que sea mejor.
The fact that it's new doesn't mean it's better.
(the fact) that it has a lift que tenga ascensor
Elena
Que tenga ascensor no implica que tenga alma.
Having a lift doesn't mean it has a soul.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
(blank) no implica que tenga alma.
Options: El hecho de que sea nuevo · No significa que sea mejor · Que tenga ascensor
Show answer
Elena
Que tenga ascensor no implica que tenga alma.
Having a lift doesn't mean it has a soul.
doesn't imply it has a soul no implica que tenga alma
Elena
Que tenga ascensor no implica que tenga alma.
Having a lift doesn't mean it has a soul.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
Que tenga ascensor (blank).
Options: el hecho de que sea nuevo · no significa que sea mejor · no implica que tenga alma
Show answer
Elena
Que tenga ascensor no implica que tenga alma.
Having a lift doesn't mean it has a soul.
shows that the building is worth a lot demuestra que el edificio vale mucho
Common mistake
Not seguir or seguirá here. Él (the spokesman).
Uy. El hecho de que siga vivo ya es un milagro.
Ooh. The fact that he's still alive is a miracle.
Practise it in the story
Meet this rule inside a short animated scene. Answer as it plays, then say the lines yourself.
Practise free in the appSee all forms
| the fact that it is new | el hecho de que sea nuevo |
|---|---|
| doesn't mean it is better | no significa que sea mejor |
| (the fact) that it has a lift | que tenga ascensor |
| doesn't imply it has a soul | no implica que tenga alma |
| shows that the building is worth a lot | demuestra que el edificio vale mucho |
More lines from the story
- ElenaY que yo tenga ochenta años no significa que sea tonta.And being eighty doesn't mean I'm stupid.
- TomásUy. El hecho de que siga vivo ya es un milagro.Ooh. The fact that he's still alive is a miracle.
- NuriaExacto. Mire mi móvil: nuevo, y ya no funciona.Exactly. Look at my phone: new, and it already doesn't work.
- ElenaEl portavoz me ha llamado señora mayor. Dos veces.The spokesman called me an old lady. Twice.