Subjunctive after doubt and denial: no creo que

B1

Grammar path · Lesson 47 of 86 · Stage B1 · The subjunctive

Use this structure when you say you don't believe, doubt or deny that something is true, as in No creo que llueva or Dudo que venga. The idea is simple: when the speaker does not present a fact as real, the verb after que goes into the subjunctive. Build it with a doubt or denial expression + que + subjunctive: no creo que, dudo que, no es verdad que. The classic trap is the affirmative: creo que presents something as true, so it takes the indicative (Creo que llueve), while no creo que switches to the subjunctive (No creo que llueva).

Practise this lesson · 10 sentences

Form

Disbeliefno creo que + sujeto + subjuntivo
No creo que llueva hoy.I don't think it will rain today.
Doubtdudo que + sujeto + subjuntivo
Dudo que ella venga a la fiesta.I doubt she'll come to the party.
Denialno es verdad que + sujeto + subjuntivo
No es verdad que Juan tenga dos trabajos.It's not true that Juan has two jobs.
Affirmative (contrast)creo que + sujeto + indicativo
Creo que va a llover hoy.I think it's going to rain today.

When to use it

Saying you don't believe something

When you negate verbs of thinking like creer or pensar, the verb that follows switches to the subjunctive.

No creo que esté en casa ahora.I don't think he's at home now.
No pienso que el examen sea difícil.I don't think the exam is difficult.

Expressing doubt or uncertainty

Dudar que and no estar seguro de que always take the subjunctive because the speaker is not sure the event is real.

Dudo que terminemos a tiempo.I doubt we'll finish on time.
No estoy seguro de que la tienda abra los domingos.I'm not sure the store opens on Sundays.

Denying a claim or statement

With negar que, no es verdad que or no es cierto que the speaker rejects a claim, so the verb after que is subjunctive.

No es cierto que el restaurante esté cerrado.It's not true that the restaurant is closed.
El ministro niega que el gobierno haya subido los impuestos.The minister denies that the government has raised taxes.

Signal words

no creo quedudo queno pienso queno es verdad queno es cierto queno estoy seguro de queniego queno parece que

Don't confuse it with

Subjunctive after wishes: quiero que

Both use que + subjunctive, but for different reasons. With quiero que the subjunctive is always required and the two subjects must differ; with doubt, only the negative or doubtful form triggers it (creo que takes the indicative), and both clauses can share a subject: No creo que pueda ir.

Frequently asked questions

Why does creo que take the indicative but no creo que the subjunctive?

Creo que presents something you take as true, so it uses the indicative: Creo que tiene razón. No creo que shows you don't accept it as real, so it uses the subjunctive: No creo que tenga razón.

What is the difference between dudo que and no dudo que?

Dudo que expresses doubt, so it takes the subjunctive: Dudo que venga. No dudo que means you are sure, so it takes the indicative: No dudo que viene.

Does the question ¿No crees que...? take the subjunctive?

Usually not. When you ask to get agreement, native speakers use the indicative: ¿No crees que es tarde?

Which tense follows no creía que when talking about the past?

Use the imperfect subjunctive: No creía que vinieras. For a completed action seen from now, use haya + participio: No creo que haya llegado.

Can I use no creo que when both clauses have the same subject?

Yes. Unlike quiero que, it sounds natural: No creo que pueda ir mañana.

More in The subjunctive

Present subjunctive: formsB1Subjunctive after wishes: quiero queB1Subjunctive after emotions: me alegra queB1Subjunctive after impersonal expressions: es importante queB1Cuando + subjunctive (future time clauses)B1Para que + subjunctiveB1OjaláB1Imperfect subjunctiveB2Pluperfect subjunctiveB2Subjunctive in relative clauses: busco a alguien que…B2Aunque + indicative or subjunctiveB2Como si + subjunctiveC1El hecho de que + subjunctiveC1Decir que + indicative or subjunctiveC1
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