Teaching guidelines +/- 15 minutes
Learn to express agreement and disagreement in Spanish using key phrases like "creo que" (I believe that) with the indicative for certainty, and "no creo que" (I don't believe that) with the subjunctive to show doubt. This lesson highlights the difference between these moods through phrases such as "Está claro que" (It's clear that) and "No está claro que" (It's not clear that).
- Creo que + indicative to show agreement or certainty.
- No creo que + subjunctive** to show disagreement or doubt.
- 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. |
| No creo que + subjuntivo (I don't believe that + subjunctive) | Duda o negación (Doubt or denial) | No creo que sea urgente. |
| Está claro que + indicativo (It is clear that + indicative) | Hecho evidente (Evident fact) | Está claro que tenemos tiempo. |
| No está claro que + subjuntivo (It is not clear that + subjunctive) | Falta de claridad (Lack of clarity) | No está claro que tengamos tiempo. |
| Es verdad que + indicativo (It is true that + indicative) | Afirmación verdadera (True statement) | Es verdad que organizan bien. |
| No es verdad que + subjuntivo (It is not true that + subjunctive) | Negación de verdad (Denial of truth) | No es verdad que organicen bien. |
| Estoy seguro de que + indicativo (I am sure that + indicative) | Seguridad (Certainty) | Estoy seguro de que completas la tarea. |
| No estoy seguro de que + subjuntivo (I'm not sure that + subjunctive) | Inseguridad (Insecurity) | No estoy seguro de que completes la tarea. |
Exercise 1: Expresar acuerdo y desacuerdo
Instruction: Fill in the correct word.
No estoy seguro de que, Estoy seguro de que, Es verdad que, No es verdad que, Está claro que, No creo que, No está claro que
1.
Seguridad:
... completas el formulario sin problemas.
(I am sure that you complete the form without any problems.)
2.
Afirmación verdadera:
... ellos trabajan en equipo.
(It is true that they work as a team.)
3.
Inseguridad / Subjuntivo:
... cambies de opinión fácilmente.
(I am not sure that you will change your mind easily.)
4.
Duda / Subjuntivo:
... la responsabilidad sea suya.
(I don't think the responsibility is yours.)
5.
Duda / Subjuntivo:
... él organice bien el proyecto.
(I don’t think he organises the project well.)
6.
Hecho evidente:
... la tarea es urgente.
(It is clear that the task is urgent.)
7.
Falta de claridad:
... completemos todas las tareas hoy.
(It is not clear that we will complete all the tasks today.)
8.
Negación de verdad:
... cambien de líder cada semana.
(It is not true that they change leader every week.)
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, and to the vocabulary of organization and delegation.
1.
Incorrect to use subjunctive after 'I think'; the indicative must be used.
After 'I don't think', the subjunctive is used, not the indicative.
2.
Error: with 'I think' the indicative is used, not the subjunctive.
Error: after 'I don't think' the subjunctive ('is') must be used, not the indicative ('is').
3.
Error: after 'It is not true that' the subjunctive ('is') 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') corresponds, not the indicative.
Error: after 'I am sure that' the indicative is used, not the subjunctive.