Creo que vs. no creo que: indicative or subjunctive

After an affirmative opinion verb (creer, pensar, parecer), use the indicative: the idea is asserted as true. Negate that verb and the following clause switches to the subjunctive, because the idea is no longer asserted. A plain question does NOT force the switch - "¿Crees que...?" normally keeps the indicative, and the subjunctive is only an optional, marked choice when the speaker wants to signal extra doubt.

Examples

Creo que el problema es estructural.: I think the problem is structural. (affirmative - indicative)
No creo que el problema sea estructural.: I don't think the problem is structural. (negated - subjunctive)
¿Crees que el problema es estructural?: Do you think the problem is structural? (neutral question - indicative is the default)
¿Crees que sea estructural, después de todo lo que hemos visto?: Do you really think it's structural, after everything we've seen? (marked question - subjunctive signals the speaker's own doubt)

The mistake to avoid

Two slips: keeping the indicative after the negative ("No creo que es" should be "No creo que sea"), and over-applying the rule to questions, where "¿Crees que es...?" - not "¿Crees que sea...?" - is the neutral default.

Where this fits in

Sociedad y opinión, Spanish B2: Debate abstract social topics in a formal register, using connectives of contrast and concession, opinion frames, and hedging strategies.

Lesson: Conectores de argumentación

Use connectives of contrast and concession
Choose between aunque + subjuntivo (hypothetical) and + indicativo (factual)

Words in this lesson

aunque - although / even though / even if: Aunque llueva mañana, iremos de excursión.Even if it rains tomorrow, we'll go on the trip.
sin embargo - however: El proyecto es ambicioso; sin embargo, contamos con poco tiempo.The project is ambitious; however, we have little time.
a pesar de que - in spite of the fact that: A pesar de que estaba cansado, terminó el trabajo a tiempo.In spite of the fact that he was tired, he finished the work on time.
no obstante - nevertheless: Los datos son preocupantes; no obstante, hay motivos para el optimismo.The data is worrying; nevertheless, there are reasons for optimism.
por otro lado - on the other hand: Por un lado, la tecnología nos une; por otro lado, nos aísla.On the one hand, technology brings us together; on the other hand, it isolates us.
en cambio - on the contrary / whereas: Mi hermano es muy serio; yo, en cambio, soy bastante bromista.My brother is very serious; I, on the other hand, am quite a joker.
mientras que - whereas: Algunos países invierten mucho en educación, mientras que otros recortan presupuesto.Some countries invest a lot in education, whereas others cut their budgets.

Translate: practice sentences

Although it rains tomorrow, we will go to the concert.: Aunque llueva mañana, iremos al concierto.
However, the situation is more complex than it seems.: Sin embargo, la situación es más compleja de lo que parece.
In spite of the difficulties, the project moved forward.: A pesar de las dificultades, el proyecto siguió adelante.
On the other hand, not everyone agrees with that measure.: Por otro lado, no todo el mundo está de acuerdo con esa medida.
Here people eat late, whereas in other countries they dine early.: Aquí la gente come tarde, mientras que en otros países cenan temprano.

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Spanish grammar · CEFR B2

Creo que vs. no creo que: indicative or subjunctive

Examples

Creo que el problema es estructural.: I think the problem is structural. (affirmative - indicative)
No creo que el problema sea estructural.: I don't think the problem is structural. (negated - subjunctive)
¿Crees que el problema es estructural?: Do you think the problem is structural? (neutral question - indicative is the default)
¿Crees que sea estructural, después de todo lo que hemos visto?: Do you really think it's structural, after everything we've seen? (marked question - subjunctive signals the speaker's own doubt)

The mistake to avoid

Where this fits in

Sociedad y opinión, Spanish B2: Debate abstract social topics in a formal register, using connectives of contrast and concession, opinion frames, and hedging strategies.

Lesson: Conectores de argumentación

Use connectives of contrast and concession
Choose between aunque + subjuntivo (hypothetical) and + indicativo (factual)

Words in this lesson

aunque - although / even though / even if: Aunque llueva mañana, iremos de excursión.Even if it rains tomorrow, we'll go on the trip.
sin embargo - however: El proyecto es ambicioso; sin embargo, contamos con poco tiempo.The project is ambitious; however, we have little time.
a pesar de que - in spite of the fact that: A pesar de que estaba cansado, terminó el trabajo a tiempo.In spite of the fact that he was tired, he finished the work on time.
no obstante - nevertheless: Los datos son preocupantes; no obstante, hay motivos para el optimismo.The data is worrying; nevertheless, there are reasons for optimism.
por otro lado - on the other hand: Por un lado, la tecnología nos une; por otro lado, nos aísla.On the one hand, technology brings us together; on the other hand, it isolates us.
en cambio - on the contrary / whereas: Mi hermano es muy serio; yo, en cambio, soy bastante bromista.My brother is very serious; I, on the other hand, am quite a joker.
mientras que - whereas: Algunos países invierten mucho en educación, mientras que otros recortan presupuesto.Some countries invest a lot in education, whereas others cut their budgets.

Translate: practice sentences

Although it rains tomorrow, we will go to the concert.: Aunque llueva mañana, iremos al concierto.
However, the situation is more complex than it seems.: Sin embargo, la situación es más compleja de lo que parece.
In spite of the difficulties, the project moved forward.: A pesar de las dificultades, el proyecto siguió adelante.
On the other hand, not everyone agrees with that measure.: Por otro lado, no todo el mundo está de acuerdo con esa medida.
Here people eat late, whereas in other countries they dine early.: Aquí la gente come tarde, mientras que en otros países cenan temprano.

Verb tables for these sentences

All Spanish grammar points →

Try the tutor - no signup

Examples

The mistake to avoid

Where this fits in

Lesson: Conectores de argumentación

Words in this lesson

Translate: practice sentences

Verb tables for these sentences

More Spanish grammar

Examples

The mistake to avoid

Where this fits in

Lesson: Conectores de argumentación

Words in this lesson

Translate: practice sentences

Verb tables for these sentences

More Spanish grammar