Can the subjunctive be used with creer?

Question

Can the subjunctive be used with creer? For example, I was trying to write "I think I forgot (but I am not really sure if I did or not)". Could I translate this as "Creo que se me olvidara"?

Great question! - --Mariana--, Sep 20, 2012

I think you don't normally use the subjunctive with creer. But I'm no expert. - annierats, Sep 20, 2012

I think I forgot is translated in the indicative: Creo que (me) olvidé (de)... whether there is certainty or not - francobollo, Sep 23, 2012

Answer 1

Yes, you can.

"Creo que se me olvidará" is a correct sentence.

Look at this:

In the past:

"Creo que se me olvidaron las llaves en casa. No las encuentro."

In the present:

"No sé si he comprado toda mi lista. Creo que se me olvida algo".

In the future:

" Si no llevo una lista de la compra, creo que se me olvidará algo.

Jose, his question used olvidara without the accent. Subjunctive not future. - francobollo, Sep 20, 2012

Yes, but Franco, this is a case where Spanish uses the future. Habrá dejado la mapa en casa... - annierats, Sep 20, 2012

Answer 2

Creo que pueda venir mañana or Creo que podré venir mañana express two different things in Spanish.

The first one uses the subjunctive and it implies doubt. The person would need to double check his calendar and confirm tomorrow's appointment. He's saying I think I may come tomorrow. Stay tuned!

The second sentence uses the indicative mode and it is stating a fact. I think I can come tomorrow.

!Excelente (como siempre)! - --Mariana--, Sep 20, 2012

Eres un sol, Mariana. Espero que Guatemala te esté tratando bien. - francobollo, Sep 20, 2012

Answer 3

Francobollo... you're wrong

"Creo que pueda venir mañana or Creo que podré venir mañana express two different things in Spanish".

In Spanish you can't say:

"Creo que pueda venir mañana"...

If the sentence is in afirmative:

• Creo que puedo/podré venir mañana. (present of indicative or future simple).

But, on the other hand, if the sentence is in negative, you can use the present of subjunctive:

• No creo que pueda venir mañana.

In this case, you can't say:

• No creo que puedo/podré venir mañana.

I rest my case. - francobollo, Oct 4, 2012

your case is wrong - josemaloru, Oct 5, 2012

Answer 4

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“Creer” used in subjunctive

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It is the speaker’s expression of “Certainty vs Doubt” not he word "creer" itself which calls for indicative or subjunctive. The speaker is in the drivers seat.

1 ¿Cree ud. que vengan? Do you think they’ll come? (I doubt it)

2 ¿Cree ud. que vendrán? Do you think that they’ll come? (i assume they will)

3 ¿Crees que lloverá? Do you think that it will rain? ( I don’t know, but it looks that way to me)

4 ¿Çrees que llueva mañana? Do you think that it will rain tomorrow? ( I don’t know…I have my doubt)

5 No creo que lo hizo. I don’t believe that he did it (I’m sure he didn’t...no doubt about it)

6 No creo que lo hiciera. I don’t believe that he did it. (But, I’m not sure)

Is what you are saying is that the only thing that will trigger the subjunctive is my belief or thought on the matter? - island_fever, Oct 4, 2012

Yes that's what viejito is saying and it's true, it doesn't matter so much if what youre talking about is reality or not, if you believe it is then you express that in the indicative. If you're doubtful or don't believe it you express it in the subj. - Kiwi-Girl, Oct 4, 2012

Answer 5

Fijaros en esto:

• Si no llevo la lista de la compra, creo que se me olvidará algo.

(FUTURE)

• Ya he venido de hacer la compra y no creo que se me olvidara nada.

(IMPERFECT OF SUBJUNTIVE

Tú eres el hispanohablante acá. Pienso que te creeré. - Jubilado, Sep 20, 2012

Jose.. No creo always takes the subjunctive... Acá la cuestión es usar subjunctivo con Creo - francobollo, Sep 23, 2012

Answer 6

Just to put it in a nutshell:

Yes you can use the subjunctive with creer in negative statements:

No creo que + subjunctive.

No creo que hayan llegado. I don't think they've arrived.

• the 'have arrived' bit is in the subjunctive mood because you can't declare it because you don't believe it.

With positive ones you use the indicative.

Creo que + indicative.

Creo que han llegado. I think that they've arrived.

• the 'have arrived' bit is in the indicative mood because you're declaring it, because you believe it to be the case. (It's actually not important whether it's true or not.)

Very good kiwi-girl !!!! - josemaloru, Oct 5, 2012

Thanks Jose :) - Kiwi-Girl, Oct 5, 2012