Subjunctive or Indicative: creo que vs. no creo que

Spanish: Subjuntivo o Indicativo: creo que vs. no creo que

Level: B2 Upper-Intermediate

Category: subjunctive

Explanation

Verbs of opinion and mental perception such as "creer" (to believe), "pensar" (to think), "parecer" (to seem), "suponer" (to suppose), and "estar seguro de" (to be sure of) change the mood of the subordinate verb depending on whether they are affirmative or negative. In the affirmative they express certainty and require the INDICATIVE. In the negative they express doubt or denial and require the SUBJUNCTIVE. Compare: "Creo que viene" (indicative, I affirm it as real) versus "No creo que venga" (subjunctive, I deny or doubt it). The logic is clear: when you affirm that something is true, you present it as a fact and use the indicative. When you deny that something is true, or doubt it, you present it as something unconfirmed and use the subjunctive. That is why simply adding "no" before the main verb changes the entire mood of the subordinate clause. It is one of the most systematic contrasts in Spanish. Questions with these verbs are a special case. If you ask "Crees que viene?" (Do you think he is coming?) you normally use the indicative, because you are just asking for confirmation of something you consider possible. But if the question implies real doubt on the speaker's part, you can use the subjunctive: "Crees que venga?". The choice depends on how much certainty the speaker expresses, not on a rigid rule. Be careful with the difference between these verbs and others that ALWAYS require the subjunctive. "Dudar que", "negar que", and "no estar seguro de que" take the subjunctive even in the affirmative because they already contain the idea of doubt or denial. By contrast, "creer", "pensar", and "estar seguro" only switch to the subjunctive when you negate them. The key is to ask yourself: does the main clause affirm or deny the reality of the fact?

Examples

• Creo que el cafe abre a las ocho. - I think the cafe opens at eight.
• No creo que el cafe abra tan temprano. - I don't think the cafe opens that early.
• Pienso que la habitacion tiene vistas al parque. - I think the room has views of the park.
• No pienso que esta habitacion sea la correcta. - I don't think this room is the right one.
• Estoy seguro de que el mercado vende fruta fresca. - I am sure the market sells fresh fruit.