dudo que + Subjunctive

Subjunctive with Doubt

Level 3

Use dudo que + subjunctive to say you doubt something is true or will happen.

How It Works

The expression dudo que is a classic trigger for the subjunctive mood. The subjunctive is used for actions or states that are subjective, uncertain, or not considered factual by the speaker. Since doubting something is the epitome of uncertainty, the clause that follows dudo que takes the subjunctive.

Structure:
Subject + dudar (conjugated) + que + different subject + verb in subjunctive

For example:

Dudo que él tenga tiempo. (I doubt that he has time.)

It's crucial to contrast this with expressions of certainty. The opposite of dudar que is no dudar que (to not doubt that). Since no dudar que expresses certainty, it is followed by the indicative mood.

Compare:

Doubt (Subjunctive): `Dudo que llueva mañana.` (I doubt it will rain tomorrow.)
Certainty (Indicative): `No dudo que llueve mucho aquí.` (I don't doubt that it rains a lot here.)

This rule applies to all conjugations of dudar (e.g., dudas que, duda que, dudamos que, etc.) when they express doubt.

Examples (5)

Dudo que él venga a la fiesta.
I doubt that he will come to the party.
Word by Word: I doubt that he come (subjunctive) to the party.
Mi madre duda que yo pueda terminar el proyecto a tiempo.
My mother doubts that I can finish the project on time.
Word by Word: My mother doubts that I can (subjunctive) finish the project on time.
¿Dudas que tengamos suficiente dinero?
Do you doubt that we have enough money?
Word by Word: Do you doubt that we have (subjunctive) enough money?
Dudamos que el restaurante esté abierto tan tarde.
We doubt that the restaurant is open so late.
Word by Word: We doubt that the restaurant be (subjunctive) open so late.
El profesor duda que los estudiantes hayan entendido la lección.
The teacher doubts that the students have understood the lesson.
This example uses the present perfect subjunctive ('hayan entendido') to express doubt about a past action that is relevant to the present.

Common Mistakes

Using the indicative mood instead of the subjunctive after 'dudo que'.
Dudo que ella tiene la respuesta.
Dudo que ella tenga la respuesta.
The verb 'dudar' expresses doubt, which is a key trigger for the subjunctive mood. The indicative ('tiene') is used for statements of fact or certainty, which is the opposite of what 'dudar' conveys.
Using the subjunctive after 'no dudo que' when you mean to show you are sure.
Different MeaningNo dudo que él sea inteligente.
No dudo que él es inteligente.
'No dudo que él sea inteligente' is possible, but it keeps a hint of doubt in the speaker's mind. To say you are sure, the usual choice is the indicative: 'No dudo que él es inteligente'.

How It Connects

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

dudo que + SubjunctiveLevel 3Subjunctive with Doubt

Learn This First

Using 'dudo que' requires the learner to have a solid grasp of the present subjunctive conjugation for all verb types, as the expression of doubt triggers this mood in the subordinate clause.

-a/-as/-a/-amos/-áis/-anPresent Subjunctive -ER/-IR
To use the subjunctive after 'dudo que', the learner must first know how to conjugate regular -ER and -IR verbs in the present subjunctive.
Level 3

Learn Next

Patterns that build on this one.

dudo que hayan terminadoPerfect Subjunctive with DoubtLevel 4

Words in This Pattern

dudar

Practice dudo que + Subjunctive in Bubblegum

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