Do I need "que" with Pensar

Question

"Do you think there will be a lot of people?"

Is this translation okay? "¿Piensas haberán muchas personas"

"Do you think many people will go to the party?"

Is this translation okay? "¿Piensas muchas personas irán a la fiesta?"

If "que" needs to go right after "piensas", is it because of subjunctive?

Answer 1

Que is necessary. However, there are some structures in which que is optional, ie: Ojalá (que) no venga mañana la tormenta .

Thank you Julian! So the correct translations would be: "Piensas que hubieren muchas personas" y "Piensas que vayan muchas personas a la fiesta"? - Ramonaspiker, Aug 31, 2016

No necesito "a" entre "vayan" y "muchas" verdad? - Ramonaspiker, Aug 31, 2016

You don't use a future subjunctive after "¿Piensas que---" use "¿Piensas que habrá muchas personas? And ¿Piensas que van muchas personas? - Daniela2041, Aug 31, 2016

Thanks Daniela! So when asking a question using "pensar que", subjunctive is not needed? - Ramonaspiker, Aug 31, 2016

Ramona, there is no need for subjunctive in anything that states a positive belief "creer, pensar, se me hace", etc because this is true belief that is factual in the speaker´s mind. Also "personas" is used in legal, medical, scientific stuff, etc........ - 005faa61, Sep 1, 2016

For everyday chit chat, we would say "habrá mucha gente" - 005faa61, Sep 1, 2016

Oh right! Thanks for reminding me Julian! - Ramonaspiker, Sep 1, 2016

What if I used dudar? ¿Dudas que ellos vayan a ganar? Is vayan correct instead of van? - Ramonaspiker, Sep 1, 2016

Ramona, the verb dudar 'triggers the subjuctive so yes, you will need to use the subjunctive. Creer in the' positive' does not need the subjunctive but creer in the negaitve does need it! ex No creo que vayan a la fiesta = I don't belive /think they will - FELIZ77, Sep 1, 2016

come to the party or Dudo que vayan a la fiesta = I doubt (that) they will come to the party. I hope this helps :) - FELIZ77, Sep 1, 2016

I agree with Feliz, however, because subjunctive in these cases indicates future action as well as doubt, "ir" isn´t really necessary. "¿Dudas que ellos ganen?" is more natural - 005faa61, Sep 1, 2016

Yes, of couse Julian I agree...I was talking more generally about the need for thé subjunctive in these cases , rather than specifically defending the need for the verb ir in Ramona's specific example That is why I also gave a different example. ;) - FELIZ77, Sep 2, 2016

I meant to say Dudo que vengan a la fiesta = I doubt they will come to the party Sorry, I used the wrong verb! - FELIZ77, Sep 2, 2016

Thank you so much Feliz and Julian! I get it now. Would vayan still work Feliz in your sentence: "No creo que vayan a la fiesta"? - Ramonaspiker, Sep 2, 2016

I think when using pensar the mean to plan something then que is omitted. I plan to go to Italy this year. Este año pienso ir a Italia - jmaulano, Sep 5, 2016

That's a good thought Jmaul! I'd like to know too! - Ramonaspiker, Sep 5, 2016