Dudo que él venga a la fiesta.
English: I doubt that he will come to the party.
- Language
- Spanish
- Level
- B1
- Unit
- Expresiones de modalidad y sentimiento
- Practice types
- 0
What this grammar point covers
In Spanish, 'expresiones de duda' are phrases or words used to show uncertainty or doubt about something. They often require a special verb form called the subjunctive.
When to use it
Use these expressions when you want to say you are not sure about something, when you doubt something is true, or when you think something is possible but not certain.
Key forms
- Dudar que + subjuntivo
- No creer que + subjuntivo
- No estar seguro/a de que + subjuntivo
- Es posible que + subjuntivo
- Es probable que + subjuntivo
Examples
No creo que María tenga razón.
English: I don't think María is right.
No estamos seguros de que llueva mañana.
English: We are not sure that it will rain tomorrow.
Es posible que Juan esté enfermo.
English: It's possible that Juan is sick.
Es probable que lleguen tarde.
English: It's likely that they will arrive late.
Tips
- After expressions of doubt, use the subjunctive form of the verb.
- If you are sure about something, use the indicative, not the subjunctive.
- Watch out for the difference between 'creo que' (certainty, indicative) and 'no creo que' (doubt, subjunctive).
Exceptions and edge cases
- If there is no change of subject in the sentence, use the infinitive instead of 'que + subjunctive'. For example: 'Dudo venir.'