No creo que (Yo) quiero/quiera?

Question

Si estoy hablando de mi misma, ¿debo usar el subjuntivo o indicativo después de "no creo que"?

Gracias

La frase completa es "no creo que quiero ver una película"/ no creo que quiera ver una película" - fi123, Sep 5, 2010

Answer 1

No creo que + subjunctive

Indicative is used to state things that you think (or guess or suspect...), and your sentence just began by saying that you don't think something, so indicative makes no sense.

Answer 2

"Creo que no tengo hambre" because you´re really stating a fact.

"Creo que no soy alcolico" because you are stating what you believe to be a fact.

"No creo que mañana tenga dinero suficiente" (por que me lo gasté todo en tequila) because tomorrow is unknown.

I won't tell you how to speak, but I can tell you that your first two sentences are not acceptable in formal or written Spanish. - lazarus1907, Sep 4, 2010

By the way, a fact? Are you hungry when you say "I don' think I'm hungry? Is that a fact? Clearly, you are not hungry, which is why subjunctive is compulsory. - lazarus1907, Sep 4, 2010

Opps! I think Lazarus is right. To use indicative in the first two, "No" must be in a different position of the phrase. Sorry, bad examples - 005faa61, Sep 5, 2010

Answer 3

You seem to be discussing two separate topics here. The first would be whether you need to use a subordinate clause or an infinitive since there would be no subject change in your sentence. Second would be, if you did use a subordinate clause, would the verb in the clause be in subjunctive or indicative mood.

The first question I'm shaky on, so wait for a native's input. I am more familiar with the verb Pensar in similar context.

No pienso que yo... would be stated with the infinitive, rather than a subordinate clause.

No pienso ir. (I don't plan on going) rather than No pienso que voy a ir.

So my recommendation would be:

No creo querer. (sounds awkward, but I don't know what No creo que quiero says either. (That also sound incomplete).

To address the second question:

Affirmative creer is stating that something is probable so the indicative is used.

Negative creer discussed improbability or contrary-to-fact or denial so the verb in the dependent clause is in the subjunctive mood.

However, since I don't think your sentence will have a subordinate clause (due to the lack of subject change) which mood is appropriate is rather moot.