The D in WEIRDO
When the main clause expresses doubt, denial, or disbelief, the subordinate clause uses the subjunctive. This is the flip side of certainty: when you state a fact, you use the indicative; when you question or deny it, you switch to the subjunctive.
Doubt triggers
| Spanish | English | Example |
|---|---|---|
| dudar que | to doubt that | Dudo que tenga razón. - I doubt he's right. |
| no creer que | to not believe that | No creo que sea verdad. - I don't think it's true. |
| no pensar que | to not think that | No pienso que funcione. - I don't think it works. |
| no estar seguro de que | to not be sure that | No estoy seguro de que venga. - I'm not sure he's coming. |
| no parecer que | to not seem that | No parece que entienda. - He doesn't seem to understand. |
The critical distinction: creer que vs. no creer que
This is one of the trickiest points for learners. The same verb can trigger the indicative or the subjunctive depending on whether it's affirmative or negative:
| Sentence | Mood | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Creo que tiene razón. | Indicative | I believe it (certainty) |
| No creo que tenga razón. | Subjunctive | I don't believe it (doubt) |
| Pienso que es buena idea. | Indicative | I think so (certainty) |
| No pienso que sea buena idea. | Subjunctive | I don't think so (doubt) |
| Es verdad que habla bien. | Indicative | It's true (fact) |
| No es verdad que hable bien. | Subjunctive | It's not true (denial) |
Rule of thumb: Affirmative belief = indicative. Negated belief = subjunctive.
What about questions?
In questions, you have a choice that depends on what answer you expect:
- ¿Crees que viene? - Do you think he's coming? (you somewhat expect yes)
- ¿Crees que venga? - Do you think he'll come? (you have real doubt)
Both are grammatically correct. The subjunctive version signals more uncertainty.
Denial triggers
When you outright deny something, the subordinate clause uses the subjunctive:
| Spanish | English | Example |
|---|---|---|
| negar que | to deny that | Niega que haya un problema. - He denies there's a problem. |
| no es que | it's not that | No es que no quiera, es que no pueda. - It's not that I don't want to, it's that I can't. |
Impersonal expressions of doubt (the I in WEIRDO)
Impersonal expressions that convey uncertainty or possibility trigger the subjunctive. Those that convey certainty take the indicative:
Subjunctive (uncertainty)
| Spanish | English | Example |
|---|---|---|
| es posible que | it's possible that | Es posible que nieve. |
| es probable que | it's probable that | Es probable que lleguen tarde. |
| es dudoso que | it's doubtful that | Es dudoso que ganen. |
| puede que | it may be that | Puede que tenga fiebre. |
| es necesario que | it's necessary that | Es necesario que hablemos. |
| es importante que | it's important that | Es importante que practiques. |
| es mejor que | it's better that | Es mejor que vayas tú. |
Indicative (certainty)
| Spanish | English | Example |
|---|---|---|
| es verdad que | it's true that | Es verdad que llueve mucho aquí. |
| es cierto que | it's certain that | Es cierto que habla tres idiomas. |
| es evidente que | it's evident that | Es evidente que está cansado. |
| es obvio que | it's obvious that | Es obvio que no quiere ir. |
But negate them and they flip: No es verdad que llueva tanto. (It's not true that it rains that much.) The negation introduces doubt, triggering the subjunctive.
Tal vez / quizá(s) - maybe
The words for "maybe" (tal vez, quizá, quizás) can take either mood:
- Tal vez venga mañana. - Maybe he'll come tomorrow. (subjunctive - more doubt)
- Tal vez viene mañana. - Maybe he's coming tomorrow. (indicative - more likely)
When placed before the verb, the subjunctive is more common. When placed after, the indicative is typical: Viene mañana, tal vez.
Dialogue: planning a trip
Elena: ¿Crees que podamos ir a la playa este fin de semana?
Javier: No estoy seguro de que haga buen tiempo. He visto la previsión y es probable que llueva el sábado.
Elena: Puede que el domingo sea mejor, ¿no?
Javier: Es posible. Pero no creo que tengamos tiempo - el domingo tenemos la cena con mis padres.
Elena: Es verdad que prometimos ir... Quizás podamos ir a la playa la semana que viene.
Javier: Sí, creo que es mejor que esperemos.
Translation
Elena: Do you think we can go to the beach this weekend?
Javier: I'm not sure the weather will be good. I've seen the forecast and it's likely to rain on Saturday.
Elena: Sunday might be better, right?
Javier: It's possible. But I don't think we'll have time - on Sunday we have dinner with my parents.
Elena: It's true we promised to go... Maybe we can go to the beach next week.
Javier: Yes, I think it's better that we wait.
Practice
Choose indicative or subjunctive for the verb in brackets:
- Es evidente que (ella / saber) _____ la respuesta.
- Dudo que (ellos / poder) _____ terminar a tiempo.
- Creo que (tú / tener) _____ razón.
- No es cierto que (nosotros / vivir) _____ en Madrid.
- Es probable que (yo / necesitar) _____ más tiempo.
- Pienso que (él / estar) _____ enfermo.
Answers
- sabe (indicative - es evidente = certainty)
- puedan (subjunctive - dudar = doubt)
- tienes (indicative - creo que = belief)
- vivamos (subjunctive - no es cierto = denial)
- necesite (subjunctive - es probable = uncertainty)
- está (indicative - pienso que = belief)
Key takeaways
- Doubt (dudar que, no creer que, no pensar que) triggers the subjunctive.
- Affirmative belief (creo que, pienso que) takes the indicative; negate it and it flips to the subjunctive.
- Denial (negar que, no es que) always triggers the subjunctive.
- Impersonal expressions of uncertainty (es posible, es probable, puede que) take the subjunctive; those of certainty (es verdad, es cierto) take the indicative.
- Tal vez / quizás + subjunctive = more doubt; + indicative = more certainty.