B1 Spanish grammar

Spanish Subjunctive with Doubt, Denial, and Opinion

Doubt, denial, and negated belief commonly frame a clause with the subjunctive. Affirmative belief and certainty normally present the clause with indicative.

Spanish subjunctive doubt and denial: Express doubt and uncertainty

Use the subjunctive after dudar que and no estar seguro de que.

Dudo que tengan tiempo.

I doubt they have time.The speaker does not present their having time as a fact.

Quick check

I doubt she knows.

Use subjunctive after denial and negated opinion

Negar que, no creer que, and no pensar que generally select the subjunctive.

No creo que sea fácil.

I do not think it is easy.Negated belief does not assert the subordinate idea.

Use indicative for affirmative belief

Creo que, pienso que, and estoy seguro de que normally assert their clause and use indicative.

Creo que Ana tiene razón.

I think Ana is right.The affirmative opinion presents the idea as the speaker's belief.

Common mistakes

Dudo que tienen tiempo.

Dudo que tengan tiempo.

Dudar que triggers the subjunctive.

No pienso que es verdad.

No pienso que sea verdad.

The negated opinion triggers subjunctive.

Creo que Ana tenga razón.

Creo que Ana tiene razón.

Affirmative creer normally takes indicative.

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Practice Spanish subjunctive doubt and denial

Doubt and denial FAQ

What does doubt and denial cover?

Doubt, denial, and negated belief commonly frame a clause with the subjunctive. Affirmative belief and certainty normally present the clause with indicative.

What is the first rule to remember?

Use the subjunctive after dudar que and no estar seguro de que.

What is another important B1 pattern?

Negar que, no creer que, and no pensar que generally select the subjunctive.

How can I practise Spanish subjunctive doubt and denial?

Complete the focused round, review each correction, and repeat the lesson when its skills become due again.

Continue learning

Wants and influenceUse the subjunctive after verbs of wanting, requesting, recommending, and influencing when subjects differ.Emotions and reactionsUse the subjunctive after expressions of happiness, sadness, surprise, fear, and annoyance about another clause.Impersonal judgmentsUse es importante que, es posible que, conviene que, and similar judgments with the subjunctive.Complete B1 Spanish grammar courseSee every B1 unit and continue through the course in order.Spanish tense guidesCompare the major tense systems used throughout this course.