Causative Constructions

Causative constructions show when someone makes or lets someone else do something, or when something happens because of someone. They are useful for describing responsibility, permission, and indirect actions in Spanish.

hacer + infinitive

Use hacer + infinitive to show that you cause someone to do an action, either by asking, forcing, or arranging it. This construction focuses on the external agent doing the task.

Examples

dejar + infinitive

Use dejar + infinitive to express permission for someone to do something, or to allow an action to happen. It often implies a lack of interference.

Examples

mandar + infinitive

Use mandar + infinitive to indicate that you order or instruct someone to do an action. It conveys a more direct command than hacer.

Examples

permitir + infinitive

Use permitir + infinitive to formally indicate permission for an action. It is similar to dejar but can sound more official.

Examples

hacer que + subjunctive

Use hacer que + subjunctive when the causative action requires the caused person to actually do something and you want to emphasize the influence or necessity. The subjunctive signals that the action depends on the causative will.

Examples

dejar que + subjunctive

Use dejar que + subjunctive to highlight permission for someone to perform an action, especially when stressing the willingness or authorization. The subjunctive frames the action as contingent on the allowance.

Examples

Spanish Example	English Translation
🌱 Le hice plantar más semillas para ampliar el huerto.	I made him plant more seeds to expand the garden.
🌞 El sol hizo crecer las plantas rápidamente.	The sun made the plants grow quickly.
💧 La lluvia hizo germinar las semillas de todo el barrio.	The rain made the seeds in the whole neighborhood sprout.
🐝 El jardinero hizo venir a las abejas para polinizar las flores.	The gardener made the bees come to pollinate the flowers.

Summary

Causative constructions revolve around hacer, dejar, mandar and permitir plus either an infinitive for straightforward causation or permission, or que plus subjunctive to emphasize control and contingency. Choose the construction that matches the nuance you want: external cause, permission, command, or influence.

dejar + infinitive

Examples

Spanish Example	English Translation
🌿 Me dejaron usar su parcela para cultivar tomates.	They let me use their plot to grow tomatoes.
⛅ El cielo se aclaró y dejó secar la cosecha.	The sky cleared and let the harvest dry.
🔧 El vecino dejó arreglar el riego para todos los huertos.	The neighbor let [someone] fix the irrigation for all the gardens.
🐕 Nos dejaron entrar con el perro al parque de plantas.	They let us enter with the dog to the plant park.

mandar + infinitive

Examples

Spanish Example	English Translation
📬 Mandaron traer tierra fertile de la ciudad vecina.	They sent to bring fertile soil from the neighboring city.
🌾 El alcalde mandó plantar árboles en todas las calles.	The mayor ordered to plant trees on all the streets.
🎒 Me mandaron preparar semillas para repartir en la feria.	They told me to prepare seeds to distribute at the fair.
🚜 Mandaron limpiar el terreno antes de sembrar.	They ordered to clear the land before planting.

permitir + infinitive

Examples

Spanish Example	English Translation
🌼 El parque permitió cultivar flores en un rincón.	The park allowed [us] to grow flowers in a corner.
🔦 La luna permitió trabajar en el huerto durante la noche.	The moon allowed [us] to work in the garden at night.
🧺 Permitieron recoger frutas de los árboles vecinos.	They allowed [us] to pick fruit from the neighboring trees.
🛤️ La comunidad permitió usar las vías para hacer camas de cultivo.	The community allowed using the tracks to make planting beds.

hacer que + subjunctive

Examples

Spanish Example	English Translation
🌧️ La tormenta hizo que se retrasara la siembra.	The storm caused the planting to be delayed.
🐛 El plaga hizo que se cambiaran las semillas.	The pest made them change the seeds.
📢 El anuncio hizo que llegaran muchos voluntarios al huerto.	The announcement made many volunteers come to the garden.
🔐 La falta de agua hizo que se cerrara el acceso al riego.	The lack of water caused the irrigation access to be closed.

dejar que + subjunctive

Examples

Spanish Example	English Translation
🌙 Dejaron que crecieran las plantas sin podarlas por una semana.	They let the plants grow without pruning them for a week.
🔥 El encargado dejó que se quemara una esquina para hacer compost.	The manager allowed a corner to burn to make compost.
🧑‍🌾 Me dejaron que probara una nueva técnica de cultivo.	They let me try a new farming technique.
🚧 Dejaron que se cerrara un camino para sembrar más árboles.	They allowed a path to be closed to plant more trees.

Summary

Last updated: Sun Sep 14, 2025