- Understand the fundamental difference between subjunctive and indicative moods
- Learn how certainty vs uncertainty determines mood choice
- Recognise how affirmation vs negation changes which mood to use
- Use the correct mood after trigger verbs and expressions
- Navigate complex sentences with multiple clauses and mood changes
- Avoid common mistakes like using subjunctive after "creo que"
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SubjunctiveUpper intermediate
Subjunctive vs Indicative
Reality vs. Doubt and Emotion
What You'll Learn
Overview
Understanding when to use subjunctive versus indicative is one of the most challenging aspects of advanced Spanish grammar. The key lies in one simple concept: certainty.
The Golden Rule
CERTAINTY=Indicative
UNCERTAINTY / SUBJECTIVITY=Subjunctive
Indicative (Facts & Certainty)
Creo que es verdad
I think it's true (I believe it)
Speaker expresses certainty
Subjunctive (Doubt & Uncertainty)
No creo que sea verdad
I don't think it's true (I doubt it)
Speaker expresses doubt/uncertainty
Notice how the same verb "creer" changes mood based on whether it's affirmative (certain) or negative (uncertain). This pattern applies to many Spanish verbs and expressions.
Structure & Formation
Indicative - Certainty & Facts
Certainty & Belief
Sé que es verdad
I know it's true
Stating Facts
Es cierto que viene
It's certain he's coming
Affirmative Thinking
Creo que habla español
I think he speaks Spanish
Perception Verbs
Veo que estás cansado
I see that you're tired
Subjunctive - Uncertainty & Subjectivity
Doubt & Uncertainty
Dudo que sea verdad
I doubt it's true
Denying Facts
No es cierto que venga
It's not certain he's coming
Negative Thinking
No creo que hable español
I don't think he speaks Spanish
Wishes & Emotions
Espero que estés bien
I hope you're well
How Negation Changes Everything
Many trigger verbs/expressions change mood when negated:
| Affirmative (Indicative) | Negative (Subjunctive) |
|---|---|
Creo que es bueno I think it's good | No creo que sea bueno I don't think it's good |
Pienso que viene I think he's coming | No pienso que venga I don't think he's coming |
Es cierto que llueve It's certain it's raining | No es cierto que llueva It's not certain it's raining |
Es verdad que trabaja mucho It's true he works a lot | No es verdad que trabaje mucho It's not true he works a lot |
Es obvio que sabe la respuesta It's obvious he knows the answer | No es obvio que sepa la respuesta It's not obvious he knows the answer |
Expressions That ALWAYS Use One Mood
Always Indicative
- Saber que (to know that)
- Ver que (to see that)
- Oír que (to hear that)
- Notar que (to notice that)
- Es obvio que (it's obvious that)
- Es evidente que (it's evident that)
Sé que tiene razón
I know he's right
Always Subjunctive
- Querer que (to want that)
- Esperar que (to hope that)
- Dudar que (to doubt that)
- Negar que (to deny that)
- Es posible que (it's possible that)
- Es importante que (it's important that)
Quiero que vengas
I want you to come
The "que" is Crucial!
Subjunctive only triggers when there's "que" + a different subject. Without "que" (same subject), use the infinitive instead:
Same subject → Infinitive
Quiero comer
I want to eat (I want, I eat)
Different subject → Subjunctive
Quiero que comas
I want you to eat (I want, you eat)
Examples
Indicative (Certainty)
Belief
Creo que María habla español
I think María speaks Spanish
Knowledge
Sé que Juan trabaja aquí
I know Juan works here
Fact
Es cierto que lloverá mañana
It's certain it will rain tomorrow
Perception
Veo que estás cansado
I see that you are tired
Subjunctive (Uncertainty)
Doubt
No creo que María hable español
I don't think María speaks Spanish
Desire
Quiero que Juan trabaje aquí
I want Juan to work here
Possibility
Es posible que llueva mañana
It's possible it will rain tomorrow
Wish
Espero que estés bien
I hope you are well
Quick Decision Process
Use Indicative when...
- Stating a fact you know
- Expressing opinion as certain
- Using perception verbs (ver, oír)
Use Subjunctive when...
- Expressing doubt or denial
- Expressing wishes or emotions
- Negating a certainty verb
Common Mistakes
Common Mistakes
Wrong: Creo que sea verdad
Correct: Creo que es verdad
Affirmative "creo que" expresses certainty → use indicative
Wrong: Es importante hablas español
Correct: Es importante que hables español
Triggers require "que" to connect clauses
Wrong: Espero que vienes
Correct: Espero que vengas
"Esperar que" always requires subjunctive, not indicative conjugation
"Tal vez / Quizás" - Both Moods Work!
More certain
Tal vez viene
Maybe he's coming
Less certain
Tal vez venga
Maybe he'll come
Subjunctive emphasizes more doubt; both are grammatically correct.
"Cuando" Changes Mood Based on Time
Habitual / Past → Indicative
Cuando voy a España...
Whenever I go to Spain...
Future → Subjunctive
Cuando vaya a España...
When I go to Spain (future)...
"Pensar" in Questions - Mood Shows Expectation
Expecting "yes"
¿Piensas que viene?
Do you think he's coming?
Uncertain / Doubting
¿Piensas que venga?
Do you think he'll come?
Quick Test
1. Complete: Creo que Juan _____ (tener) razón.
Atiene
Btenga
Ctuviera
Dtendrá
2. Complete: No creo que María _____ (saber) la verdad.
Asabe
Bsepa
Csabía
Dsupiera
3. Which is correct?
ASé que viene mañana
BSé que venga mañana
CSé venga mañana
DSé viene mañana
4. Complete: Dudo que _____ (llover) mañana.
Allueve
Bllovía
Cllueva
Dlloverá
5. Complete: Es cierto que _____ (estar) cansado.
Aestoy
Besté
Cestaba
Destaría
6. Complete: No es verdad que yo _____ (mentir).
Amiento
Bmienta
Cmentía
Dmentiría
7. Complete: Espero que tú _____ (venir) a la fiesta.
Avienes
Bvengas
Cvenías
Dvendrás
8. Complete: Pienso que _____ (ser) una buena idea.
Aes
Bsea
Cera
Dsería
Want more in-depth practice? Try our interactive fill-in-the-blank exercises with progressive lessons covering WEIRDO triggers, regular and irregular verbs!