Question 1

Why is bajar in the subjunctive (baje) if the sentence is describing a "fact"?

Accepted Answer

Even though the sentence talks about a fact, the focus is on a reaction to that fact. The phrase es terrible is a value judgment. Whenever you state a fact specifically to comment on it emotionally or evaluate it, Spanish requires the subjunctive for the clause containing the fact.

Question 2

Would it ever be correct to use the indicative (baja) after el hecho de que?

Accepted Answer

Yes, but generally only if you are simply declaring the fact without reacting to it. For example, if you say El hecho de que la natalidad baja es evidente (The fact that the birth rate is dropping is evident), the indicative is often used because you are just confirming the reality of the situation. However, because our sentence uses the emotional trigger es terrible, the subjunctive baje is mandatory.

Question 3

Why do we need the de in el hecho de que? Can I just say el hecho que?

Accepted Answer

You must include the de. Dropping it is a common grammatical error called queísmo (omitting a necessary preposition before que). In Spanish, the noun hecho (fact) links to its descriptive clause with de, exactly like how you would say la idea de que (the idea that).

Question 4

Could I say la tasa de nacimientos instead of la natalidad?

Accepted Answer

Yes! La natalidad is a single noun that specifically means the birth rate. You will also commonly hear la tasa de natalidad or la tasa de nacimientos, which both mean exactly the same thing in this context.

El hecho de que la natalidad baje es terrible.

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