B1Spanish · Grammar

Subjunctive: uncertainty

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Lesson

The Subjunctive Mood (Subjuntivo) for Expressing Doubt, Negation, and Possibility

In Spanish, to talk about uncertainty, doubt, possibility, or negation, we often use the Subjunctive mood. This is different from the Indicative mood, which we use for facts and certain events. The Subjunctive typically appears in subordinate clauses when the main clause expresses something that isn't certain.

Expression of Doubt/Negation/Possibility + que + Subject (different from the main clause) + Verb in Subjunctive

How do we form the Present Subjunctive? For regular verbs, the rule is quite straightforward: for verbs ending in -AR, we use endings that typically start with -e, and for verbs ending in -ER and -IR, we use endings that typically start with -a. Remember, you usually start by removing the infinitive ending and then adding the correct Subjunctive ending.

PronounHABLAR (-AR)COMER (-ER)VIVIR (-IR)
yohablecomaviva
túhablescomasvivas
él/ella/ustedhablecomaviva
nosotros/ashablemoscomamosvivamos
vosotros/ashabléiscomáisviváis
ellos/ellas/ustedeshablencomanvivan

Of course, there are also irregular verbs, such as ser (sea), estar (esté), ir (vaya), saber (sepa), tener (tenga), hacer (haga), poder (pueda), dar (dé), which have their own special Subjunctive forms. These are definitely worth memorising!

  • Expressions of Doubt (Duda):
  • Dudo que (I doubt that), No creo que (I don't think that), No pienso que (I don't believe that), No estoy seguro/a de que (I'm not sure that), No es cierto que (It's not true that), No es verdad que (It's not true that), Negar que (To deny that)
  • Expressions of Possibility (Posibilidad):
  • Es posible que (It's possible that), Es probable que (It's probable that), Puede que (It might be that), Quizás / Tal vez (Perhaps / Maybe)

Dudo que ella hable español muy bien.

I doubt that she speaks Spanish very well.

Es posible que llueva mañana.

It's possible that it will rain tomorrow.

No creo que él venga a la fiesta.

I don't think he will come to the party.

Watch out! Expressions like creer que (to believe that), pensar que (to think that), and estar seguro/a de que (to be sure that) use the Indicative mood when they are affirmative (expressing certainty). However, they switch to the Subjunctive when they are negative (expressing doubt or negation). For example, Creo que es verdad (I believe it's true), but No creo que sea verdad (I don't believe it's true).
Top Tip! When you use Quizás or Tal vez at the beginning of a sentence, you'll almost always use the Subjunctive. While you can use the Indicative if you want to emphasise that something is very probable, for B1 level, stick to the Subjunctive! If in doubt, Subjunctive is your best mate! 😉
No creo que tenga razón.
No creo que tiene razón.

After the negation "No creo que", we use the Subjunctive mood (tenga) because we are expressing doubt.

The Subjunctive mood is absolutely key to expressing nuance in Spanish. Practise it regularly, and you'll quickly see progress in expressing your thoughts with greater precision and confidence!

Test yourself

20 questions. Answer them all, then check — you'll see what you got right and what to fix.

  1. 1

    Complete the sentence

    Puede que lo que buscas.

    Maybe you'll find what you're looking for.

  2. 2

    Complete the sentence

    Dudo que los regalos.

    I doubt they will bring the presents.

  3. 3

    Complete the sentence

    Quizá mejor ir en coche.

    Perhaps it is better to go by car.

  4. 4

    Complete the sentence

    Dudo que ellos participar.

    I doubt they want to participate.

  5. 5

    Complete the sentence

    Puede que lo que buscas.

    Maybe you'll find what you're looking for.

  6. 6

    Complete the sentence

    Es posible que de opinión.

    We might change our minds.

  7. 7

    Complete the sentence

    Puede que te un consejo.

    Maybe I will give you some advice.

  8. 8

    Complete the sentence

    Es posible que se aquí.

    They might sit down here.

  9. 9

    Type the missing word

    Puede que al cine esta noche.

    We might go to the cinema tonight.

  10. 10

    Type the missing word

    Es posible que ella ir sola.

    It's possible that she prefers to go alone.

  11. 11

    Type the missing word

    Quizá el viaje muy largo.

    Perhaps the journey is very long.

  12. 12

    Type the missing word

    Puede que hasta tarde mañana.

    We might sleep in tomorrow.

  13. 13

    Type the missing word

    Puede que con el proyecto.

    We might carry on with the project.

  14. 14

    Type the missing word

    Es posible que con tarjeta.

    It's possible we'll pay by card.

  15. 15

    Put the sentence together — some words are extra

    Perhaps the shop is closed today.

  16. 16

    Put the sentence together — some words are extra

    I don't think he drives well.

  17. 17

    Put the sentence together — some words are extra

    It's not true that he works every day.

  18. 18

    Put the sentence together — some words are extra

    We might read that book together.

  19. 19

    Build the missing word from the letters

    Quizá con ellos mañana.

    Perhaps we will talk to them tomorrow.

  20. 20

    Match each word to its meaning

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