The Subjunctive to Express Doubt and Denial

(El uso del subjuntivo para expresar duda y negación)

Dudo que las grasas

transformadas sean buenas para

la salud.

The Subjunctive to Express Doubt and DenialThe subjunctive is used in noun clauses after expressions of doubt, uncertainty, or denial. The following verbs can express doubt and denial. Unlike the verbs that express influence and emotion, these verbs do not require a change of subject in the dependent clause in order to use the subjunctive.

dudar

negar (ie)

no pensar (ie)

no creer

no estar seguro/a (de)

to doubt

to deny

to not think

to not believe

to not be sure (of)

The Subjunctive to express doubt and denial

Many impersonal expressions also show doubt and denial and call for the subjunctive when there is a change in subject. Some common impersonal expressions are shown below:

es dudoso it’s doubtful

no es cierto it’s not certain

es increíble it’s incredible

no es verdad it’s not true

Dudo que Camilo padezca de artritis.I doubt that Camilo suffers from arthritis.

No creo que el médico sepa el diagnóstico.I don’t believe that the doctor knows the diagnosis.

The Subjunctive to Express Doubt and DenialThe subjunctive is used in noun clauses after expressions of doubt, uncertainty, or denial. The following verbs can express doubt and denial. Unlike the verbs that express volition and emotion, these verbs do not require a change of subject in the dependent clause in order to use the subjunctive.

No estamos seguros de que las grasas transformadas sean nocivas.

We’re not sure that transfatty acids are harmful.

The Subjunctive to Express Doubt and DenialThe subjunctive is used in noun clauses after expressions of doubt, uncertainty, or denial. The following verbs can express doubt and denial. Unlike the verbs that express volition and emotion, these verbs do not require a change of subject in the dependent clause in order to use the subjunctive.

Mi padre niega que tenga un nivel muy alto de colesterol.

My father denies that he has a very high cholesterol level.

The Subjunctive to Express Doubt and DenialWhen there is no doubt, uncertainty, or disbelief about an action or event, and when the subject appears certain of the facts, the indicative is used in the noun clause. For most expressions of doubt or uncertainty, the indicative will be used for the opposing expression (dudar versus no dudar; no creer versus creer).

No dudo que Camilo padece de artritis.I don’t doubt that Camilo suffers from arthritis.

Creo que el médico sabe el diagnóstico.I believe that the doctor knows the diagnosis.

The Subjunctive to Express Doubt and DenialWhen there is no doubt, uncertainty, or disbelief about an action or event, and when the subject appears certain of the facts, the indicative is used in the noun clause. For most expressions of doubt or uncertainty, the indicative will be used for the opposing expression (dudar versus no dudar; no creer versus creer).

Es cierto que las grasas transformadas son nocivas.

It’s true that transfatty acids are harmful.

Mi padre no niega que tiene un nivel muy alto de colesterol.

My father does not deny that he has a very high cholesterol level.

The Subjunctive to Express Doubt and DenialWhen the verb creer is used in a question, it can imply doubt in the mind of the speaker, thereby triggering the subjunctive in the dependent clause.

¿Crees que el alcohol dañe el corazón?Do you believe (think) that alcohol damages the heart? (speaker implies doubt)

If the speaker expresses no opinion or does not anticipate a negative response, the indicative is preferred.

¿Crees que el alcohol daña el corazón?Do you believe (think) that alcohol damages the heart? (speaker has no opinion)

The subjunctive with tal vez and quizá(s)The Subjunctive to Express Doubt and Denial

The expressions tal vez and quizá(s), meaning perhaps or maybe, are followed by the subjunctive when the speaker wishes to convey uncertainty or doubt. Both expressions are used without que.

Tal vez funcione no comer tanta grasa.

Perhaps not eating so much fat will work.

Quizás el ejercicio me alivie la artritis.

Perhaps exercise will alleviate my arthritis.

The subjunctive with tal vez and quizá(s)The Subjunctive to Express Doubt and Denial

When tal vez or quizá(s) follows the verb, the indicative is used.

Vamos a fumar menos, tal vez.

We’re going to smoke less, perhaps.

Bajo de peso, quizás.

I’ll lose weight, maybe.

FIN