Subjunctive and Doubt and Denial

The Subjunctive and Doubt, Denial

This is very similar to the Subjunctive and emotions. The focus isn't on the veracity or reality of the facts but rather on your lack of belief in them. For example:

I doubt the Steelers are going to win the Superbowl.

Yo dudo que los Steeler gane el Superbowl [Subjunctive]

But maybe my dad disagrees. He believes they WILL win:

I think they are going to win it! ¡Creo que van a ganarlo! [Indicative]

Whether or not the Steelers actually win is irrelevant at this moment. It is our belief (or lack thereof) in whether or not they win that determines the use of the Subjunctive. My doubt indicates I am describing a scenario I find unreal. Therefore, I need to use the Subjunctive to express that doubt.

My father is describing what he believes is reality and therefore can use the indicative -NOT the Subjunctive- to express it. Click below for more informtion of when NOT to use the subjuctive.

Let's look at another example:

I deny that UFOs exist "Niego que existan los OVNIs" [Subjunctive]

So I need to use the subjunctive to describe what I feel falls outside of reality.

But Scully and Mulder disagree:

"We do not doubt that UFOs exist!" "No negamos que existen los OVNIs" [Indicative].

They "do not doubt" which means they "are sure or believe" that UFOs exist. So they use the indicative to express this belief.

Pop-up quiz with subjunctive and Doubt

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When NOT to use the Subjunctive