Should I use the subjunctive after "pienso"?
I have just started learning about use of the subjunctive mood in Spanish. I have seen the indicative used after 'pienso' but the subjunctive is normally used for something that might be true, meaning pienso would lead to the subjunctive. Which is correct? Should I use the subjunctive or the indicative after 'pienso'?
Thank you!
5 Answers
With pienso que, you should use the indicative. Also with creo que which is more common.
With no pienso que or no creo que you should use the subjunctive.
These are just rules of grammar and common usage.
I have just started learning about use of the subjunctive mood in Spanish. I have seen the indicative used after 'pienso' but the subjunctive is normally used for something that might be true, meaning pienso would lead to the subjunctive. Which is correct? Should I use the subjunctive or the indicative after 'pienso'?
Try not to think about the "uncertainty factor" or things that "might be true" vs. things that "definitely are true." This concept is taught as a guideline that often applies to subjunctive vs indicative, but there are so many exceptions, that it should not even be thought of as a "general rule with exceptions." It is better to think of "the uncertainty factor" as one aspect that is sometimes present in the use of the subjunctive. In some uses of the subjunctive "the uncertainty factor" is highly relevant. In others, it is completely irrelevant.
With pensar and creer, yes, there is a potential that the speaker is wrong about his indicative statement and that he isn't even positive about its truth himself. Nevertheless, this is what he thinks and he declares/indicates what he thinks. He isn't guaranteeing that it is true.
So, I've shown you one way in which the indicative can be used when there may be some uncertainty. Now, I'll show you an example of the opposite...the use of the subjunctive when there is absolutely no uncertainty.
A guest arrives at your house. You should say:
Me alegro de que hayas venido. (hayas is the subjunctive of haber)
I'm happy you have come.
You should not say:
Me alegro de que has venido or.
Me alegro de que viniste. (which is what we would probably say in English.)
I'm happy you came.
The person has definitely come. There is absolutely no uncertainty. BUT...he knows and everyone else around knows that he has come so there is no reason for you to declare it by using the indicative. The focus of the sentence shifts to how you feel about the situation...which requires the subjunctive even when, as in this case, there is absolutely no uncertainty.
Enjoy your studies...the subjunctive can be a little difficult to learn but once you learn it I think you will enjoy using it. 
Hello the objectpronoun,
Welcome to our SpanishDict community forum
You asked:
I have just started learning about use of the subjunctive mood in Spanish. I have seen the indicative used after 'pienso' but the subjunctive is normally used for something that might be true, meaning pienso would lead to the subjunctive. Which is correct? Should I use the subjunctive or the indicative after 'pienso'? Thank you!
Ken is right that creo que and pienso que verbal constructions take the indicative mood whereas No creo que and No pienso que take the subjunctive!
Instead of focusing on the uncertainty and doubt factor you may find it much more helpful to know and remember that certain verbs trigger (ie: activate) the use of the subjunctive mood! By activate, I mean that the subjunctive is used after certain verbs. These include the verbs of emotion and perception such as: esperar, querer and sentir for example. I have included some examples below with the present subjunctive mood.
Esperar: (to hope, wait for, expect)
ex:1.Espero que ella venga mañana = I hope that she comes tomorrow.
2.Esperamos que las chicas puedan jugar al fútbol con nostros está tarde. = We hope that the girls will be able to play football with us this afternoon.
Querer: (to want, to love)
1.¡Quiero que me compres un anillo de diamantes! = I want you to buy me a diamond ring!
2.Él quiere que le devuelvas las llaves de él inmediatamente. = He wants you to return his keys straight away!
In addition, other constructions that require and therefore trigger the use of the subjunctive mood include the use of impersonal statements!
ex:1.Es bueno / Es fantástico que todos nuestros primos puedan venir a querdarlos la semana que viene. = It's good / fantastic that all our cousins can come to stay with us next week.
ex.2.Es importante que tomes tu medicina todos los días = It's important that you take your medicine every day!
it's also important to remember that while Dudo que requieres the subjunctive, No dudo que takes the indicative, instead,
Finally, it takes time to learn how to use and eventually master the subjunctive mood. All of us non-natives are also still learning. We are a bit further down the road than you are as a result of our more extensive experiences and with the help and input from excellent teachers like Daniela and Heidi! Congratulations on being willing to take that first step towards learning it ...it's amazing how many non-natives try to avoid using it lol but if you want to make real progress and learn to speak good Spanish ... there is no other way except to learn to use it well!
I hope this helps
Corrijan mi español si es necesario, por favor
I found this on the internet and thought it might help:
Just as DilKen and FELIZ77 have said, you use the indicative with "pienso que / creo que", and the subjunctive with "no pienso que / creo que".
This is because one common use of the indicative is certainty, and one common use of the subjunctive is doubt.
I hope this helps, and good luck with your continuation of learning the subjunctive
