The main rule
Say you are sure and Spanish uses the indicative (indicativo): Creo que viene. Say you doubt, deny or only think it is possible and it uses the subjunctive (subjuntivo): No creo que venga, Dudo que venga, Es posible que venga. The exception is a lo mejor, always with the indicative. For a purpose: the same subject takes para + infinitive (Estudio para aprobar), a different subject takes para que + subjunctive (Hablo despacio para que me entiendas).
Certainty or doubt: which mood
| Expression | Mood | Example |
|---|---|---|
| creo / pienso / me parece que | indicative | Creo que Ana está en casa. |
| no creo / no pienso / no me parece que | subjunctive | No creo que Ana esté en casa. |
| es verdad / es cierto / está claro / es evidente / es seguro que | indicative | Es verdad que Luis trabaja mucho. |
| no es verdad / no es cierto / no está claro / no es seguro que | subjunctive | No es seguro que Luis trabaje hoy. |
| dudo que | subjunctive | Dudo que tengamos tiempo. |
The idea behind it: when the speaker presents something as true, the verb is in the indicative; when the speaker does not accept it as true, it is in the subjunctive. The forms of the subjunctive are on the previous topic's page; here the choice of mood is the point.
Probability
| Expression | Mood | Example |
|---|---|---|
| puede que / puede ser que | subjunctive | Puede que llueva esta tarde. |
| es posible que / es probable que | subjunctive | Es probable que mis padres vengan el sábado. |
| lo más probable es que | subjunctive | Lo más probable es que salgamos tarde. |
| a lo mejor | indicative | A lo mejor vamos a la playa el domingo. |
| quizás / tal vez / probablemente | indicative or subjunctive | Quizás llueve / llueva mañana. |
A lo mejor is the odd one out: it means "maybe" but takes only the indicative. Quizás, tal vez and probablemente accept both moods, and both are correct. The subjunctive usually sounds a little more doubtful. You do not have to choose between them; just remember that es posible que and puede que never take the indicative.
What is different from English
English has almost no everyday subjunctive, so the mood does not change: "I think he comes" and "I don't think he comes" use the same verb form, and "maybe he will come" and "he will probably come" do too. In Spanish the mood changes, and the trigger is the meaning of the main clause. "I don't think he's coming" has the form No creo que venga.
English "so that you understand" is a plain verb, and Spanish needs the subjunctive: para que entiendas. English "probably" is a plain adverb. Spanish es probable que is an expression with a clause after it, and the verb after it is in the subjunctive.
There is also a way round: Creo que no viene ("I think he isn't coming") and No creo que venga mean the same, and both are normal. In the first one the negation is inside the clause and the verb is indicative. In the second the negation is on creo and the verb is subjunctive.
Para or para que
| Subjects | Pattern | Example |
|---|---|---|
| same subject (or a general purpose) | para + infinitive | Estudio español para trabajar en Madrid. |
| different subject | para que + subjunctive | Hablo despacio para que los niños me entiendan. |
Ask who does the second verb. If it is the person who does the first one, use the infinitive and no que. If it is someone else, show the new subject through the verb and use para que: Te llamo para que sepas la hora (I call, you know). A subject pronoun before the infinitive (*para tú entender) is a typical learner mistake.
Examples
- Creo que mañana va a llover. I think it's going to rain tomorrow.
- No creo que Marta venga hoy. I don't think Marta is coming today.
- Creo que Ana no viene a la fiesta. I think Ana isn't coming to the party.
- Es verdad que mi hermano trabaja mucho. It's true that my brother works a lot.
- Dudo que tengamos tiempo para ir al cine. I doubt we will have time to go to the cinema.
- Es probable que mis padres vengan el sábado. My parents will probably come on Saturday.
- A lo mejor vamos a la playa el domingo. Maybe we'll go to the beach on Sunday.
- Hablo despacio para que me entiendas. I speak slowly so that you understand me.
- Estudio todos los días para aprobar el examen. I study every day to pass the exam.
A fast check
Before you choose the mood, ask: is the speaker presenting this as a fact? Creo, es verdad, está claro and a lo mejor say yes (indicative). No creo, dudo, no es seguro, puede que say no or perhaps (subjunctive). The forms of the subjunctive are on the previous topic's page.
Common mistakes
No creo que viene.No creo que venga. no creo que needs the subjunctiveCreo que venga.Creo que viene. creo que takes the indicativeEs posible que viene.Es posible que venga. es posible que needs the subjunctiveA lo mejor venga.A lo mejor viene. a lo mejor takes the indicativeDudo que es verdad.Dudo que sea verdad. dudo que needs the subjunctiveHablo despacio para que entiendes.Hablo despacio para que entiendas. para que needs the subjunctiveHablo despacio para tú entender.Hablo despacio para que entiendas. a new subject needs para queEstudio para que apruebo.Estudio para aprobar. same subject: para + infinitive
Frequently asked questions
Does creo que take the subjunctive?
No. Creo que takes the indicative: Creo que viene. The subjunctive appears in the negative, No creo que venga, because you no longer accept the idea as true.
Is it no creo que viene or no creo que venga?
In standard Spanish it is No creo que venga. If you want the indicative, move the negation: Creo que no viene, which means the same thing.
Do quizás and tal vez take the subjunctive or the indicative?
Both are correct: Quizás viene and Quizás venga. The subjunctive sounds a little more doubtful, but you can use either. A lo mejor takes only the indicative.
What is the difference between a lo mejor and puede que?
Both mean "maybe", but a lo mejor takes the indicative (A lo mejor llueve) and puede que takes the subjunctive (Puede que llueva). Do not mix them: *a lo mejor llueva is wrong.
When do I use para and when para que?
Use para + infinitive when the same person does both actions: Estudio para aprobar. Use para que + subjunctive when someone else does the second one: Te explico para que entiendas.
Is dudo que always followed by the subjunctive?
Yes, at this level: Dudo que sea verdad, Dudo que venga. Doubt is exactly the meaning that triggers the subjunctive.