Does subjunctive always follow creo que?

Question

Does subjunctive always follow creo que? Or, are there times when one would use the indicative?

Answer 1

The subjunctive form follows "no creo que." It's used to convey a feeling of doubt. Use the indicative when you believe something is true (creo que).

Unless some hispanohablante comes by and says this is utter nonsense, it's got my vote for best answer. - webdunce, Nov 10, 2009

Muchas gracias por el voto. - c41f84dfc9, Nov 10, 2009

Answer 2

Rex said:

The subjunctive form follows "no creo que." It's used to convey a feeling of doubt. Use the indicative when you believe something is true (creo que).

I agree with Rex.

You'd use the indicative to state something you believe. I believe it's gong to rain is a statement of fact -- you indeed believe it's going to rain.

When you introduce the negative I don't believe it's going to rain you are casting doubt, and therefore, you'd use the subjunctive.

There are some really good answers on here from Lazarus about the subjunctive and he explained it so very well. You should go to the users page and click on his name, then go through some of the answers he's given to subjunctive questions.

Answer 3

I found this tread related to "creo que" and the subjunctive.

Lazarus says:

Declarations require indicative; lack of declarations are expressed in subjunctive.

"Creo que está feliz".

Here you want to say that he/she is happy. To be more specific, that's what you think.

And I found this on another website:

Generally, the indicative is used with creer que or pensar que, while the subjunctive is used with no creer que or no pensar que.

Thanks for your help Marianne. - webdunce, Nov 10, 2009

Answer 4

Creo que el la ama. Ama is still indicative.

Thank you. - webdunce, Nov 10, 2009

Answer 5

No creo lo que tú dijiste. Eres mentiroso.

I see no doubt expressed here and see no need to use the subjunctive mood.

No creo que digas la verdad. (I don't think (doubt) that you are telling the truth).

Doubt expressed, so the subjunctive is needed.

It's true that creo que, the affirmative, is mostly used for declaring something and that no creo is mostly used for expressing doubt, but I don't believe no creo always invokes the subjunctive.

Between I don't believe what you said and I believe that you are lying I think that the affirmative expresses more doubt.

Does not:

I believe that ghosts do not exist.

and

I do not believe that ghost exist.

not declare the same thing.

Answer 6

If you wanted to say "I think you would be right" is the conditional tense. Creo que tendrías razón.

Answer 7

Okay, does "Creo que tengas razón" sound like something is missing, then? Like, in English maybe it is saying "I think you would be right..." and your brain is like "would be right if what?"

Sorry to beat a dead horse... - webdunce, Nov 10, 2009

Answer 8

In the thread that Marianne linked me to, a user named la_poeta asks:

Okay.. and what if you want to say "I think he loves her...(but I'm not sure)."

That´s a good question.

So, there are perhaps two creo que´s...one is just a polite way of stating a "fact" so use the indicative. Another is a way of expressing a level of uncertainty so use the subjunctive?