Expressing agreement and disagreement

Indicative vs. Subjunctive after “que”: what changes and why

These expressions introduce a second clause with que. The verb mood in that second clause depends on your level of certainty:

• Affirmative opinion / certainty → Indicative (you present it as true/likely).
• Negative opinion / doubt → Subjunctive (you don’t confirm it; it’s uncertain).

The core pattern (quick visual rule)

Compare the meaning (same facts, different stance)

• Creo que es urgente. (I treat it as true.)
• No creo que sea urgente. (I’m not confirming it; I doubt it.)

• Es verdad que organizan bien. (I present it as a fact.)
• No es verdad que organicen bien. (I deny that “fact”.)

Most common learner mistake: negation flips the mood

In English, the verb form often stays the same. In Spanish, the negation changes the mood.

A2-friendly “subjunctive toolbox” you will use here

You don’t need every subjunctive form—just the present subjunctive of common verbs. These appear constantly in meetings, emails, and planning.

“De que” vs. “que”: don’t mix them

• Creo que… (not creo de que)
• Estoy seguro de que… (this one does take de)

Tip: if the phrase already contains de (estar seguro de), keep it: de que.

Self-check: choose the mood in 3 steps

1. Find the trigger: creo que / no creo que / es verdad que / no es verdad que / estoy seguro de que / no estoy seguro de que
2. Decide your stance:
   • Do I present it as true? → Indicative
   • Do I deny/doubt it? → Subjunctive
3. Conjugate only the second verb (after que / de que).

Mini model sentences for professional contexts

• Creo que el equipo tiene capacidad para asumirlo.
• No creo que el proveedor entregue a tiempo.
• Es verdad que ya tenemos los datos.
• No es verdad que el informe esté finalizado.
• Estoy seguro de que lo podemos resolver hoy.
• No estoy seguro de que lo podamos resolver hoy.