"I think I (might) love you"

Question

I've been trying to learn the subjunctive tense and I read somewhere that you wouldn't use the subjunctive after using verb like creer or pensar in the affirmative form. For example, It said that you would do this "Creo que (subjunctive verb)", and instead you would only using it in the negative form since it's expressing doubt. The problem is, I don't see why you wouldn't use it in some situations. For example "I think I (might) love you". If I am expressing doubt in the fact that I love you, wouldn't I say "creo que te ame" instead of "creo que te amo". Then first one seems to express more doubt? If you can understand what I'm asking, I would really appreciate an answer!

I am only a beginner, but when using the subjunctive you need two different subjects. In your example the subjects are both the first person singular. I think you could write Pienso que me ame. - JudeDawson, Nov 13, 2016

Answer 1

The fact that we say something in affirmative indicates that this indeed is a fact, at least in our own minds, so we use indicative. If you say "Creo que te amo", it means that a fact exists that you believe that you love someone. However, we can express possibility (not doubt) in this same sentence by saying "Creo que es posible que te ame / Es posible que te ame". In this case subjunctive is used, but only on the last verb because the possibility is factual, but the love is only possibile , as in "maybe".

If you say this as a negative action "No creo que te ame", you show doubt by saying "No creo", so the subjunctive follows to continue the indication of doubt.

:) - ian-hill, Nov 13, 2016

I have a very big problem on learning subjuntivo, do help me mis gran amigos y profesores. I am tired with lots of confusion. - nepal15, Nov 13, 2016

Thanks for the clarification - Quincyhopper, Nov 13, 2016