non creo que + Subjunctive
Subjunctive After Doubt and Denial
Doubt and denial take the subjunctive, while a statement of belief takes the indicative, as in Non creo que chova (I do not think it will rain), Dubido que o saiba (I doubt he knows) and Creo que chove (I think it is raining).
How It Works
Belief → indicative: Creo que ten razón (I think she is right). Penso que chegan hoxe (I think they are arriving today). Estou seguro de que aprobará (I am sure he will pass).
Denial or doubt → subjunctive: Non creo que teña razón (I do not think she is right). Non penso que cheguen hoxe (I do not think they are arriving today). Dubido que aprobe (I doubt he will pass).
Common triggers: non creo que, non penso que, dubido que, non é verdade que, non é certo que, non parece que.
Time: the present subjunctive covers the present and the future, so Non creo que chova can mean "I do not think it is raining" or "I do not think it will rain".
Questions: in an ordinary question, cres que usually keeps the indicative: Cres que vén? (Do you think he is coming?).
Other ways to show doubt: quizais and talvez and poida que can also bring in the subjunctive: Poida que chova (It may rain).
Examples (6)
- Non creo que chova.
I don't think it will rain.
Word by Word: Not believe-I that rain.
Chova is the subjunctive of chover.
- Dubido que o saiba.
I doubt he knows.
Word by Word: Doubt-I that it know.
Dubidar que takes the subjunctive: saiba.
- Creo que chove.
I think it is raining.
Word by Word: Believe-I that rains.
A statement of belief keeps the indicative: chove.
- Non penso que sexa tan difícil.
I don't think it is that difficult.
Word by Word: Not think-I that be so difficult.
Non penso que works like non creo que.
- Non creo que Xoán queira vir connosco.
I don't think Xoán wants to come with us.
Word by Word: Not believe-I that Xoán want come with-us.
Queira is the subjunctive of querer.
- Non é verdade que teñamos présa.
It's not true that we are in a hurry.
Word by Word: Not is truth that have-we hurry.
Non é verdade que denies a fact, so it takes the subjunctive.
Common Mistakes
Using the indicative after non creo que.
Non creo que chove.Non creo que chova.Denying a belief puts the next verb in the subjunctive.
Using the subjunctive after creo que.
Creo que chova.Creo que chove.Creo que presents something as true, so it takes the indicative.
Using the indicative after dubido que.
Dubido que o sabe.Dubido que o saiba.Dubido que expresses doubt, so it takes the subjunctive.
How It Connects
Learn This First
Doubt or denial changes the mood of the dependent proposition.
Related Patterns
- sexa / estea / teñaIrregular Present Subjunctives
Denials often use irregular subjunctives such as sexa, teña and saiba.
Level 3 - Present of saber, haber, ler and crer
The present of crer: creo, cres, cre.
Level 2 - é importante que + SubjunctiveImpersonal Expressions with the Subjunctive
Non é certo que belongs with the impersonal expressions that switch mood when negated.
Level 3 - quizais / talvezPerhaps: Quizais and Talvez
Other ways to express doubt, with indicative or subjunctive.
Level 4 - poida que + SubjunctiveMaybe: Poida Que
Poida que also presents something as uncertain with the subjunctive.
Level 4
Words in This Pattern
Practice non creo que + Subjunctive in Bubblegum
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