13.5: The subjunctive with verbs that express doubt
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The Subjunctive with Verbs that Express Doubt
We memorized the word WEDDING to help us remember when to use the subjunctive. The first D of WEDDING is for doubt. We are going to learn some verbs and expressions that indicate doubt. If the first verb is one of these verbos or expressions, we are going to use the subjunctive in the second verb. For example
No creo que la clase de español sea aburrida. I don’t believe = doubt, so sea is the subjunctive
¿Crees que nuestra profesora hable cinco idiomas? Do you believe = doubt, so hable is the subjunctive
La profesora duda que vayamos a Colombia este verano. the teacher doubts so vayamos is the subjunctive
No es seguro que todo el mundo estudie suficientemente. It is not sure = doubt, so estudie is the subjunctive
Some verbs and expressions that indicate doubt are:
¿creer? to believe, when used in question
dudar to doubt
negar to deny
no creer to not believe
no parecer to not seem
no pensar to not think
rehusar to refuse
no suponer to not suppose
no estar seguro/a to not be sure
no estar verdad to not be true
no ser cierto to not be sure
no ser evidente to not be evident
no ser obvio to not be obvious
no ser posible it is not possible
posiblemente possibly
poder ser to be possible
quizá/quizás maybe
ser dudoso it is doubtful
ser imposible to be impossible
ser incierto to not be certain
ser posible to be possible
tal vez maybe
There are also expressions that do not indicate or express doubt. Sometimes the use of the word NO, or the lack of it, can change an expression. If the word or expression in verb one does NOT express doubt, it is not necessary to use the present subjunctive. Instead of the present subjunctive in verb two, we use the present indicative. For example
No creo que el programa sea interesante. I do not believe = doubt = subjuntivo
Creo que el español es muy útil. I believe = no doubt = indicativo
Dudamos que el libro tenga otra edición. We doubt = doubt = subjuntivo
No dudamos que el libro tiene otra edición. We do not doubt = no doubt = indicative
No es seguro que el cantante cante bien. It is not sure = doubt = subjuntivo
Es seguro que el cantante canta bien. It is sure = no doubt = indicative
With practice, it is becomes easier to identify these words and expressions and decide if they require the subjunctive or the indicative. So, let’s practice.
Prácticas.
A. Complete each sentence with the appropriate form of the verb. Each sentence requires you to choose between the subjunctive or the indicative.
1. No creemos que el presidente (hablar) _____________________ chino.
2. ¿Crees que el perro (correr) ________________________ rápidamente?
3. Nuestra profesora duda que nosotros (entender) _______________________ el subjuntivo.
4. Es cierto que yo siempre (comprar) __________________ comida sana.
5. Es cierto que la atleta (practicar) ________________________ cada día.
6. Puede ser que nosotros (comer) _______________________una merienda hoy.
7. Quizá los estudiantes (estar) ______________________ preparados todos los días.
8. La profesora supone que ella (memorizar) _______________________ la palabra.
9. Los padres no suponen que su hijo (estar) ________________________ estresado.
10. Puede ser que el subjuntivo (ser) _________________________ importante y fácil.
B. Complete each sentence in a logical way. Some sentences will require the subjunctive and others will require the indicative.
1. Es posible que yo _________________________________________________.
2. Es cierto que yo _________________________________________.
3. No es cierto que yo ___________________________________________.
4. Pienso que el español _____________________________________________.
5. ¿Piensas que la universidad ________________________________________?
6. Tal vez mi mejor amigo/a ____________________________________________.
7. Es evidente que __________________________________________________.
8. No es evidente que ________________________________________________.
9. Dudo que hoy ____________________________________________________.
10. No dudo que tú __________________________________________________.
C. Let’s practice writing sentences. Read the verbs below and choose five different ones to use as the first verb in five different sentences.
¿creer? no creer poder ser
dudar no estar seguro ser incierto
negar no ser cierto ser posible
Remember to include the five necessary parts of
suject one verb one que suject two verb two
For example
Yo dudo que la profesora hable chino.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
D. What do all of these verbs and expressions have in common? Which are the easiest to remember? Why? Which are the most difficult? Why?