duvidar que + Subjunctive

Subjuntivo Com Dúvida

Level 3

The verb duvidar (to doubt) triggers the subjunctive mood in the following clause because it expresses that the speaker does not view the action as a certain fact.

How It Works

The construction duvidar que (or duvidar de que) is a classic trigger for the subjunctive mood.

1. The Conjunction: You can use either duvidar que or duvidar de que. Both are correct and natural in modern Portuguese.

2. Tense Agreement: The timing of the doubt determines the subjunctive tense:

3. The Negative Form: When you use não duvidar, you are expressing certainty. In this case, the indicative mood is common to emphasize a fact (e.g., Não duvido que ele sabe), but the subjunctive is also perfectly acceptable and very common in many contexts (e.g., Não duvido que ele saiba).

4. Comparison: This pattern functions similarly to não acreditar que (not believing), which also triggers the subjunctive because it introduces an element of uncertainty or denial.

Examples (5)

  1. Duvido que eles cheguem a tempo para o jantar.

    I doubt they will arrive in time for dinner.

    Word by Word: I-doubt that they arrive at time for the dinner.

    The present tense 'duvido' triggers the present subjunctive 'cheguem'.

  2. Eu duvidava que você tivesse coragem de saltar.

    I doubted that you had the courage to jump.

    Word by Word: I doubted that you had courage of to-jump.

    The imperfect 'duvidava' triggers the imperfect subjunctive 'tivesse'.

  3. Duvidamos que a situação se resolva sozinha.

    We doubt the situation will resolve itself.

    Word by Word: We-doubt that the situation itself resolves alone.

    The verb 'resolva' is in the subjunctive because of the doubt expressed by 'duvidamos'.

  4. Duvido que ele tenha feito o trabalho.

    I doubt that he has done the work.

    Word by Word: I-doubt that he has done the work.

    To doubt a past action from the present, use the pretérito perfeito do subjuntivo.

  5. Eu duvidei que ele já tivesse vindo.

    I doubted that he had already come.

    Word by Word: I doubted that he already had come.

    To doubt an even earlier action from a past perspective, use the mais-que-perfeito do subjuntivo.

Common Mistakes

  • Using the indicative mood after 'duvidar'.

    Duvido que ele vem hoje.
    Duvido que ele venha hoje.

    English speakers often use the indicative because English doesn't change the verb form for doubt, but Portuguese requires the subjunctive 'venha'.

  • Assuming the subjunctive is 'wrong' after 'não duvidar'.

    Não duvido que ele está em casa. (Only option)
    Não duvido que ele esteja em casa. (Also correct)

    While 'não duvidar' expresses certainty and often takes the indicative, the subjunctive is also very common and correct, especially in formal writing or to soften the statement.

How It Connects

Tap a pattern to see what it builds on and what it leads to.

duvidar que + SubjunctiveLevel 3Subjuntivo Com Dúvida

Learn This First

To use 'duvidar que' correctly, you first need to learn the conjugation of the present subjunctive for all verb groups (-AR, -ER, and -IR), as this mood is triggered by the expression of doubt. You also need a basic understanding of how 'que' functions to connect a main clause to a subordinate clause.

Words in This Pattern

duvidar