Learn how to express agreement and disagreement in Spanish using key phrases like "Creo que" (I believe that) with the indicative, and "No creo que" (I don't believe that) with the subjunctive, to clearly communicate certainty or doubt.
  1. Creo que + indicative to show agreement or certainty.
  2. No creo que + subjunctive** to show disagreement or doubt.
  3. Positive opinion = indicative; Negative opinion = subjunctive
Expresión (Expression)Uso (Usage)Ejemplo (Example)
Creo que + indicativo (I believe that + indicative)Certeza  (Certainty)Creo que es urgente. (I think it is urgent.)
No creo que + subjuntivo (I don't believe that + subjunctive)Duda o negación (Doubt or denial)No creo que sea urgente. (I don’t think it is urgent.)
Está claro que + indicativo (It is clear that + indicative)Hecho evidente  (Evident fact)Está claro que tenemos tiempo. (It is clear that we have time.)
No está claro que + subjuntivo (It is not clear that + subjunctive)Falta de claridad  (Lack of clarity)No está claro que tengamos tiempo. (It is not clear that we have time.)
Es verdad que + indicativo (It is true that + indicative)Afirmación verdadera  (True statement)Es verdad que organizan bien. (It is true that they organise well.)
No es verdad que + subjuntivo (It is not true that + subjunctive)Negación de verdad  (Denial of truth)No es verdad que organicen bien. (It is not true that they organise well.)
Estoy seguro de que + indicativo (I am sure that + indicative)Seguridad (Certainty)Estoy seguro de que completas la tarea. (I am sure that you complete the task.)
No estoy seguro de que + subjuntivo (I'm not sure that + subjunctive)Inseguridad  (Insecurity)No estoy seguro de que completes la tarea. (I am not sure that you complete the task.)

Exercise 1: Expresar acuerdo y desacuerdo

Instruction: Fill in the correct word.

Show translation Show answers

No estoy seguro de que, Estoy seguro de que, No creo que, No es verdad que, Es verdad que, Está claro que, Creo que

1. Seguridad:
... completas el formulario sin problemas.
(Estoy seguro de que completas el formulario sin problemas.)
2. Duda / Subjuntivo:
... la responsabilidad sea suya.
(No creo que la responsabilidad sea suya.)
3. Inseguridad / Subjuntivo:
... cambies de opinión fácilmente.
(No estoy seguro de que cambies de opinión fácilmente.)
4. Hecho evidente:
... la tarea es urgente.
(Está claro que la tarea es urgente.)
5. Afirmación verdadera:
... ellos trabajan en equipo.
(Es verdad que ellos trabajan en equipo.)
6. Certeza:
... el líder tiene una agenda muy organizada.
(Creo que el líder tiene una agenda muy organizada.)
7. Negación de verdad:
... cambien de líder cada semana.
(No es verdad que cambien de líder cada semana.)
8. Seguridad:
... el correo es para ti.
(Estoy seguro de que el correo es para ti.)

Exercise 2: Multiple Choice

Instruction: Choose the correct sentence for each situation, paying attention to the use of the indicative and subjunctive with expressions of agreement and disagreement, as well as the vocabulary related to organization and delegation.

1.
Incorrect to use subjunctive after 'I believe that'; the indicative must be used.
After 'I don't believe that', the subjunctive is used, not the indicative.
2.
Error: with 'I believe that' the indicative is used, not the subjunctive.
Error: after 'I don't believe that' the subjunctive ('is completed') must be used, not the indicative ('is').
3.
Error: after 'It is not true that' the subjunctive ('is pending') is used, not the indicative.
Incorrect combination if the task is actually pending, as it contradicts the negation.
4.
After 'I am not sure that' the subjunctive ('delegate') must be used, not the indicative.
Error: after 'I am sure that' the indicative is used, not the subjunctive.

Expressing Agreement and Disagreement in Spanish

This lesson is designed for A2 level learners to understand and practice how to express agreement and disagreement in Spanish using specific expressions and verb moods. You will learn the difference between using the indicative and the subjunctive moods with common phrases, helping you communicate your certainty or doubt clearly and naturally.

Key Expressions and Their Use

In Spanish, expressing agreement or disagreement often involves certain fixed phrases followed by verbs in either the indicative or subjunctive mood. Here are some important expressions you will explore in this lesson:

  • Creo que + indicative: Used to show certainty or agreement. Example: Creo que es urgente.
  • No creo que + subjunctive: Used to express doubt or disagreement. Example: No creo que sea urgente.
  • Está claro que + indicative: Indicates an obvious fact. Example: Está claro que tenemos tiempo.
  • No está claro que + subjunctive: Shows lack of clarity or uncertainty. Example: No está claro que tengamos tiempo.
  • Es verdad que + indicative: States a true fact. Example: Es verdad que organizan bien.
  • No es verdad que + subjunctive: Denies a fact. Example: No es verdad que organicen bien.
  • Estoy seguro de que + indicative: Shows confidence. Example: Estoy seguro de que completas la tarea.
  • No estoy seguro de que + subjunctive: Expresses uncertainty. Example: No estoy seguro de que completes la tarea.

Important Grammar Tip

Notice the mood shift: positive opinions or statements use the indicative mood, while negative opinions or doubts trigger the subjunctive mood. For example:

  • Creo que es (indicative – agreement)
  • No creo que sea (subjunctive – disagreement)

Comparing Spanish and English

Unlike English, which often uses modal verbs or simple negation without changing verb forms, Spanish uses different verb moods to express certainty versus doubt. For example, English speakers say "I think it is" or "I don't think it is" without changing the verb form. In Spanish, "Creo que es" uses the indicative, while "No creo que sea" uses the subjunctive verb sea to reflect uncertainty.

Useful phrases to remember:

  • Creo que – I believe/think (certainty)
  • No creo que – I don't think (doubt)
  • Está claro que – It's clear that
  • No está claro que – It's not clear that
  • Es verdad que – It is true that
  • No es verdad que – It is not true that
  • Estoy seguro de que – I am sure that
  • No estoy seguro de que – I am not sure that

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