Google Groups no longer supports new Usenet posts or subscriptions. Historical content remains viewable.
Dismiss

Subjunctive after "creer?"

0 views
Skip to first unread message

Sleepless in Seattle

unread,
Jun 16, 2000, 3:00:00 AM6/16/00
to
Becky Jaxon wrote:

> Y creo que en Puerto Rico dijeron
> "Wepa", pero tal vez esté (¿?) equivocada. Puede ser que lo oí en una
> canción.

I seem to recall a rule that tells us we must use the subjunctive
after the use of "creer," if the subject changes in the second
clause. But I've just leafed through my three of my Spanish
books and find no mention of "creer" as requiring the
subjunctive.

So, I'm wondering, have I somehow confused "creer" with "querer?"

Derek Rogers

unread,
Jun 16, 2000, 3:00:00 AM6/16/00
to
"Sleepless in Seattle"<Spamless....@USA.net> wrote:

>I seem to recall a rule that tells us we must use the subjunctive
>after the use of "creer," if the subject changes in the second
>clause. But I've just leafed through my three of my Spanish
>books and find no mention of "creer" as requiring the
>subjunctive.

I thought the subjunctive had been pretty well covered in this NG. It
has three uses:

a. In some (but not all) types of "if"-clause.

b. After a few particles such as "quizás" and "talvez".

c. After expressions of doubt, disbelief or desire. "No creo que..."
comes into this category, and requires the subj. "Creo que..."
doesn't, and doesn't.

de...@Language-Master.com : Resources for Language Learners : http://www.Language-Master.com


Sleepless in Seattle

unread,
Jun 16, 2000, 3:00:00 AM6/16/00
to

Derek Rogers wrote:
>
> "Sleepless in Seattle"<Spamless....@USA.net> wrote:
>
> >I seem to recall a rule that tells us we must use the subjunctive
> >after the use of "creer," if the subject changes in the second
> >clause. But I've just leafed through my three of my Spanish
> >books and find no mention of "creer" as requiring the
> >subjunctive.
>
> I thought the subjunctive had been pretty well covered in this NG. It
> has three uses:
>
> a. In some (but not all) types of "if"-clause.
>
> b. After a few particles such as "quizás" and "talvez".
>
> c. After expressions of doubt, disbelief or desire. "No creo que..."
> comes into this category, and requires the subj. "Creo que..."
> doesn't, and doesn't.

Had a hard day at the office did you?

Alexander Deubelbeiss

unread,
Jun 16, 2000, 3:00:00 AM6/16/00
to

Sleepless in Seattle schrieb in Nachricht
<394A50EE...@mindspring.com>...

>Becky Jaxon wrote:
>
>> Y creo que en Puerto Rico dijeron
>> "Wepa", pero tal vez esté (¿?) equivocada. Puede ser que lo oí en una
>> canción.
>
>I seem to recall a rule that tells us we must use the subjunctive
>after the use of "creer," if the subject changes in the second
>clause. But I've just leafed through my three of my Spanish
>books and find no mention of "creer" as requiring the
>subjunctive.
>
>So, I'm wondering, have I somehow confused "creer" with "querer?"

Probably.

(Affirmative "creer" goes with indicative; negative and interrogative
generally has subjunctive)


Sleepless in Seattle

unread,
Jun 16, 2000, 3:00:00 AM6/16/00
to

Derek Rogers wrote:

> c. After expressions of doubt, disbelief or desire. "No creo que..."
> comes into this category, and requires the subj. "Creo que..."
> doesn't, and doesn't.

OK, I think I can remember that.

Let me try it out:

"Creo que es más grande que tú"

"No creo que sea tan grande."

Is that the idea?

Ted Johnson

unread,
Jun 16, 2000, 3:00:00 AM6/16/00
to
No. Creer is one of what I call the "wimpy verbs." It can be used with
the indicative or the subjunctive in either the affirmative or negative.
This one time when the speaker controls the use of the subjunctive - if
your belief in your statement is weak, use the subjunctive. If it is
strong, use the indicative.

No creo que lo hace.
No creo que lo haga.
¿Crees que vengan?
¿Crees que vendrán?


--
tj
Host of the Education Forum
The Education Forum: http://educationforum.net
(registration code for new members: becomemember)
The Education Forum Web Site: http://web.educationforum.net
The alt.usage.spanish Newsgroup Web Site: http://altspanish.cjb.net


"Sleepless in Seattle" <Spamless....@USA.net> wrote in message
news:394A7D32...@mindspring.com...

Alexander Deubelbeiss

unread,
Jun 17, 2000, 3:00:00 AM6/17/00
to

Ted Johnson schrieb in Nachricht ...

>No. Creer is one of what I call the "wimpy verbs." It can be used with
>the indicative or the subjunctive in either the affirmative or negative.
>This one time when the speaker controls the use of the subjunctive - if
>your belief in your statement is weak, use the subjunctive. If it is
>strong, use the indicative.
>
>No creo que lo hace.
>No creo que lo haga.
>¿Crees que vengan?
>¿Crees que vendrán?
>
...and you can't (or shouldn't) say "Creo que vengan".

Ted Johnson

unread,
Jun 17, 2000, 3:00:00 AM6/17/00
to
"Alexander Deubelbeiss" <deub...@hotbot.com> wrote in message
news:8ifga1$abj$1...@bw107zhb.bluewin.ch...

From Repaso de Gramática:

El subjuntivo se usa en cláusulas substantivas subordinadas cuand en la
cláusula principal se esxpresa duda, negación e incredulidad en relación
con lo que se dice en la cláusula subordinada. En muchas ocaciones, el
uso del subjuntivo o el indicativo dependerá del grado de duda del que
habla. Cuando no hay cambio de sujeto es común el uso del infinitivo.
Algunos de los verbos que crean esta situación son negar, creer, opinar,
pensar, suponer, juzgar, estimar, etc.

El verbo creer usado afirmativamente se usa, comúnmente, con el
indicativo, aunque el uso con el subjuntivo es posible cuando significa
pensar o juzgar.

Yo creo que viene. I believe he's coming.
Yo creo que venga. I think he is coming. (less certain)

Cuando creer se usa negativamente o en prguntas es más común el uso con
el subjuntivo, pues normalmente el que habla quiere implicar cierto
grado de d7uda sobre la acción de la cláusula subordinada.

No creo que venga. I don't think he's coming.
¿Cree usted que lo haga? Do you think he will do well?

and a footnote on the same page (from a different, but related item):

esperar, cuando siginifica to expect, y temer, cuando significa to
think, pierden el sentido que fuerza el uso del subjuntvo y se usan con
el indicativo. Espero que llegará temprano. I expect him to arrive
early. Me temo que va a perder el dinero. I think he's going to lose
the money.

Sleepless in Seattle

unread,
Jun 17, 2000, 3:00:00 AM6/17/00
to
> > Derek Rogers wrote:
> >
> > > c. After expressions of doubt, disbelief or desire. "No creo que..."
> > > comes into this category, and requires the subj. "Creo que..."
> > > doesn't, and doesn't.

Ted Johnson wrote:
>
> No. Creer is one of what I call the "wimpy verbs." It can be used with
> the indicative or the subjunctive in either the affirmative or negative.
> This one time when the speaker controls the use of the subjunctive - if
> your belief in your statement is weak, use the subjunctive. If it is
> strong, use the indicative.
>
> No creo que lo hace.
> No creo que lo haga.
> ¿Crees que vengan?
> ¿Crees que vendrán?

And Alexander Deubelweiss says:

> ...and you can't (or shouldn't) say "Creo que vengan".

Boy! This is all really confusing. But quite interesting too.
We seem to have a strong difference of opinion. So I'm wondering
if there is some incontestable authority on Spanish usage we
could appeal to to settle this question.

Sleepless in Seattle

unread,
Jun 17, 2000, 3:00:00 AM6/17/00
to
Ted Johnson wrote:
>
> From Repaso de Gramática:

Thanks Ted! You were answering my question as I was typing it.
You must be psychic!

That grammar book is really easy to understand, at least the part
you quoted.

Where did you get it? Who are the authors, publisher, etc.?

Ted Johnson

unread,
Jun 17, 2000, 3:00:00 AM6/17/00
to
Repaso de Gramática, Second Edition
Osvaldo N. Soto
1974, HBJ (now part of a bigger company - textbook companies have been
merging for the last decade)
ISBN: 0-15-576617-1


--
tj
Host of the Education Forum
The Education Forum: http://educationforum.net
(registration code for new members: becomemember)
The Education Forum Web Site: http://web.educationforum.net
The alt.usage.spanish Newsgroup Web Site: http://altspanish.cjb.net

"Sleepless in Seattle" <Spamless....@USA.net> wrote in message

news:394BC5A3...@mindspring.com...

John O'Flaherty

unread,
Jun 17, 2000, 3:00:00 AM6/17/00
to
Sleepless in Seattle wrote:

> And Alexander Deubelweiss says:
>
> > ...and you can't (or shouldn't) say "Creo que vengan".
>
> Boy! This is all really confusing. But quite interesting too.
> We seem to have a strong difference of opinion. So I'm wondering
> if there is some incontestable authority on Spanish usage we
> could appeal to to settle this question.

Sí, creo que venga luego luego, acompañado por su auxiliar, Sancho Panza.
¡Cuidadín con no asemejarse a un molino!

john


Angelico

unread,
Jun 19, 2000, 3:00:00 AM6/19/00
to
El día Fri, 16 Jun 2000 22:52:07 GMT, "Ted Johnson"
<ho...@educationforum.cbj.net> dejó su taza de café sobre el
escritorio, crujió sus dedos y tecleó para alt.usage.spanish:

] No. Creer is one of what I call the "wimpy verbs." It can be used with


] the indicative or the subjunctive in either the affirmative or negative.
] This one time when the speaker controls the use of the subjunctive - if
] your belief in your statement is weak, use the subjunctive. If it is
] strong, use the indicative.
]
] No creo que lo hace.

No! "Creo que no lo hace", better "creo que no lo hará"

] No creo que lo haga.

Right

] ¿Crees que vengan?

Weird in Spain...

] ¿Crees que vendrán?

Right
--
Un saludo desde la tierra de la luz.
Angel Arnal
Valencia, España (hablante nativo)
ICQ# 49213241
Read the a.u.s. FAQ at http://teleline.terra.es/personal/angelarn/aus/index.htm
--------------------------------------------------------
En la vida, como en el ajedrez, las piezas mayores pueden volverse sobre sus
pasos, pero los peones sólo tienen un sentido de avance.
Juan Benet
--------------------------------------------------------
My real e-mail ends with .es not .kp

Angelico

unread,
Jun 19, 2000, 3:00:00 AM6/19/00
to
El día Sat, 17 Jun 2000 18:06:51 GMT, "Ted Johnson"

<ho...@educationforum.cbj.net> dejó su taza de café sobre el
escritorio, crujió sus dedos y tecleó para alt.usage.spanish:

DISCLAIMER:
All the commentaries are from the perspective of a speaker of the
peninsular Spanish dialect.

] From Repaso de Gramática:


]
] El subjuntivo se usa en cláusulas substantivas subordinadas cuand en la
] cláusula principal se esxpresa duda, negación e incredulidad en relación
] con lo que se dice en la cláusula subordinada. En muchas ocaciones, el
] uso del subjuntivo o el indicativo dependerá del grado de duda del que
] habla. Cuando no hay cambio de sujeto es común el uso del infinitivo.
] Algunos de los verbos que crean esta situación son negar, creer, opinar,
] pensar, suponer, juzgar, estimar, etc.
]
] El verbo creer usado afirmativamente se usa, comúnmente, con el
] indicativo, aunque el uso con el subjuntivo es posible cuando significa
] pensar o juzgar.
]
] Yo creo que viene. I believe he's coming.

OK

] Yo creo que venga. I think he is coming. (less certain)

Very, very weird. I'd say "Yo creo que vendrá" or "Yo creo que viene"
for this less certainty. Indicative.
]
] Cuando creer se usa negativamente o en prguntas es más común el uso con


] el subjuntivo, pues normalmente el que habla quiere implicar cierto
] grado de d7uda sobre la acción de la cláusula subordinada.
]
] No creo que venga. I don't think he's coming.
] ¿Cree usted que lo haga? Do you think he will do well?

A bit strange, we use the futuro simple de indicativo: ¿Cree usted que
lo hará?
]
] and a footnote on the same page (from a different, but related item):


]
] esperar, cuando siginifica to expect, y temer, cuando significa to
] think, pierden el sentido que fuerza el uso del subjuntvo y se usan con
] el indicativo. Espero que llegará temprano. I expect him to arrive

On the other hand, we use the subjunctive in these case: espero que
llegue temprano.

] early. Me temo que va a perder el dinero. I think he's going to lose
] the money.

OK

Ted Johnson

unread,
Jun 20, 2000, 3:00:00 AM6/20/00
to
"Angelico" <ANGE...@teleline.kp> wrote in message
news:5a1tksst6edlr25k8...@4ax.com...

> El día Sat, 17 Jun 2000 18:06:51 GMT, "Ted Johnson"
> <ho...@educationforum.cbj.net> dejó su taza de café sobre el
> escritorio, crujió sus dedos y tecleó para alt.usage.spanish:
>
> DISCLAIMER:
> All the commentaries are from the perspective of a speaker of the
> peninsular Spanish dialect.
>

The same disclaimer for moi - my Spanish is *very* rooted in South
America.


> ] Yo creo que viene. I believe he's coming.
>
> OK

Same here.

>
> ] Yo creo que venga. I think he is coming. (less certain)
>
> Very, very weird. I'd say "Yo creo que vendrá" or "Yo creo que viene"
> for this less certainty. Indicative.
> ]

My "ear" has no problem with the subjunctive here. I could see
replacing the subjunctive with the future, as you did - the two sound
nearly the same to me. However, viene sounds *very* different in
meaning to me.


> ] Cuando creer se usa negativamente o en prguntas es más común el uso
con
> ] el subjuntivo, pues normalmente el que habla quiere implicar cierto
> ] grado de d7uda sobre la acción de la cláusula subordinada.
> ]
> ] No creo que venga. I don't think he's coming.
> ] ¿Cree usted que lo haga? Do you think he will do well?
>
> A bit strange, we use the futuro simple de indicativo: ¿Cree usted que
> lo hará?
> ]

The first sounds perfect to me. The second sounds a *bit* strange - I
would probably use the indicative as you did. However, a large number
of texts and grammars say that the second is correct.


> ] and a footnote on the same page (from a different, but related
item):
> ]
> ] esperar, cuando siginifica to expect, y temer, cuando significa to
> ] think, pierden el sentido que fuerza el uso del subjuntvo y se usan
con
> ] el indicativo. Espero que llegará temprano. I expect him to arrive
>
> On the other hand, we use the subjunctive in these case: espero que
> llegue temprano.
>
> ] early. Me temo que va a perder el dinero. I think he's going to
lose
> ] the money.
>
> OK

Here we differ. The first sounds fine to me - so does the indicative -
but I *hear* different things depending on the choice of mood.
Temo with the indicative sounds *really* off the mark to me, but that's
probably because I'm not used to thinking of temer in the sense of to
think. That's a new one for me. I learn so much here! :)

Jigotai

unread,
Jun 20, 2000, 3:00:00 AM6/20/00
to

>El verbo creer usado afirmativamente se usa, comúnmente, con el
>indicativo, aunque el uso con el subjuntivo es posible cuando significa
>pensar o juzgar.
>

>Yo creo que viene. I believe he's coming.

>Yo creo que venga. I think he is coming. (less certain)


Es mas usado "Creo que vendrá". Sin embargo, en la negativa, se usa el
subjuntivo: "No creo que venga"

Aunque no creo que la distinción entre los significados de "creer" tenga
algo que ver en el uso del subjuntivo.

>Cuando creer se usa negativamente o en prguntas es más común el uso con
>el subjuntivo, pues normalmente el que habla quiere implicar cierto
>grado de d7uda sobre la acción de la cláusula subordinada.
>
>No creo que venga. I don't think he's coming.

>¿Cree usted que lo haga? Do you think he will do well?

Es mas natural "¿Cree usted que lo hará?"


Un saludo

Angel Cruz
Valencia, España

Axun Garmendia

unread,
Jun 20, 2000, 3:00:00 AM6/20/00
to
No se si será del todo correcto gramaticalmente, pero intercalo la forma en
que se diría a este lado del charco:

Ted Johnson <ho...@educationforum.cbj.net> escribió en el mensaje de noticias
%6P25.6878$C44.3...@bgtnsc05-news.ops.worldnet.att.net...
] "Alexander Deubelbeiss" <deub...@hotbot.com> wrote in message


]news:8ifga1$abj$1...@bw107zhb.bluewin.ch...
]>
]> Ted Johnson schrieb in Nachricht ...

]> >No. Creer is one of what I call the "wimpy verbs." It can be used


]with
]> >the indicative or the subjunctive in either the affirmative or
]negative.
]> >This one time when the speaker controls the use of the subjunctive -
]if
]> >your belief in your statement is weak, use the subjunctive. If it is
]> >strong, use the indicative.
]> >
]> >No creo que lo hace.

]> >No creo que lo haga.
]> >¿Crees que vengan?
]> >¿Crees que vendrán?
]> >
]> ...and you can't (or shouldn't) say "Creo que vengan".
]>
]
]From Repaso de Gramática:

]El subjuntivo se usa en cláusulas substantivas subordinadas cuand en la
]cláusula principal se esxpresa duda, negación e incredulidad en relación
]con lo que se dice en la cláusula subordinada. En muchas ocaciones, el
]uso del subjuntivo o el indicativo dependerá del grado de duda del que
]habla. Cuando no hay cambio de sujeto es común el uso del infinitivo.
]Algunos de los verbos que crean esta situación son negar, creer, opinar,
]pensar, suponer, juzgar, estimar, etc.
]

]El verbo creer usado afirmativamente se usa, comúnmente, con el


]indicativo, aunque el uso con el subjuntivo es posible cuando significa
]pensar o juzgar.
]
]Yo creo que viene. I believe he's coming.
]Yo creo que venga. I think he is coming. (less certain)

- ¿Has hablado con María?
- Si, creo que viene mañana.

Jamás usaría "Yo creo que venga" Diría "Yo creo que vendrá"

]Cuando creer se usa negativamente o en prguntas es más común el uso con


]el subjuntivo, pues normalmente el que habla quiere implicar cierto
]grado de d7uda sobre la acción de la cláusula subordinada.

]No creo que venga. I don't think he's coming.
]¿Cree usted que lo haga? Do you think he will do well?

- ¿Has hablado con María?
- Si, pero no creo que venga mañana.

Tampoco usaría "¿Cree Ud. que lo haga?" En su lugar, usaría "¿Cree Ud. que
lo hará?"

]and a footnote on the same page (from a different, but related item):

]esperar, cuando siginifica to expect, y temer, cuando significa to
]think, pierden el sentido que fuerza el uso del subjuntvo y se usan con
]el indicativo. Espero que llegará temprano. I expect him to arrive

]early. Me temo que va a perder el dinero. I think he's going to lose
]the money.

Sin embargo, en este último caso, yo usaría el subjuntivo: "Espero que
llegue temprano" Con la segunda frase, tengo más dudas: me suenan bien las
dos posibilidades - "Me temo que va a perder todo el dinero" y "Me temo que
pierda todo el dinero"

Axun

Angelico

unread,
Jun 21, 2000, 3:00:00 AM6/21/00
to
El día Tue, 20 Jun 2000 02:15:04 GMT, "Ted Johnson"

<ho...@educationforum.cbj.net> dejó su taza de café sobre el
escritorio, crujió sus dedos y tecleó para alt.usage.spanish:

] "Angelico" <ANGE...@teleline.kp> wrote in message


] news:5a1tksst6edlr25k8...@4ax.com...
] > El día Sat, 17 Jun 2000 18:06:51 GMT, "Ted Johnson"
] > <ho...@educationforum.cbj.net> dejó su taza de café sobre el
] > escritorio, crujió sus dedos y tecleó para alt.usage.spanish:

]
] >
] > ] Yo creo que venga. I think he is coming. (less certain)
] >
] > Very, very weird. I'd say "Yo creo que vendrá" or "Yo creo que viene"


] > for this less certainty. Indicative.
] > ]
]
] My "ear" has no problem with the subjunctive here. I could see
] replacing the subjunctive with the future, as you did - the two sound
] nearly the same to me. However, viene sounds *very* different in
] meaning to me.

Here it differentiates two degrees of certainty/uncertainty: viene
shows a high certainty (though not absolute, thus the creo) and vendrá
expresses some doubt.
]
]
] > ] Cuando creer se usa negativamente o en prguntas es más común el uso


] con
] > ] el subjuntivo, pues normalmente el que habla quiere implicar cierto
] > ] grado de d7uda sobre la acción de la cláusula subordinada.
] > ]
] > ] No creo que venga. I don't think he's coming.
] > ] ¿Cree usted que lo haga? Do you think he will do well?

] >
] > A bit strange, we use the futuro simple de indicativo: ¿Cree usted que
] > lo hará?
] > ]
]
] The first sounds perfect to me. The second sounds a *bit* strange - I


] would probably use the indicative as you did. However, a large number
] of texts and grammars say that the second is correct.

Oh, I looked over the first one, perfect as well. On the second, I
suppose it's correct, but I don't like it. It's like the pretérito
indefinido of andar: I say anduve, but I don't like it, "andó" sounds
better to me, even though it's absolutely incorrect.
]
]
] > ] and a footnote on the same page (from a different, but related


] item):
] > ]
] > ] esperar, cuando siginifica to expect, y temer, cuando significa to
] > ] think, pierden el sentido que fuerza el uso del subjuntvo y se usan
] con
] > ] el indicativo. Espero que llegará temprano. I expect him to arrive
] >

] > On the other hand, we use the subjunctive in these case: espero que
] > llegue temprano.
] >
] > ] early. Me temo que va a perder el dinero. I think he's going to
] lose
] > ] the money.
] >
] > OK


]
] Here we differ. The first sounds fine to me - so does the indicative -
] but I *hear* different things depending on the choice of mood.
] Temo with the indicative sounds *really* off the mark to me, but that's
] probably because I'm not used to thinking of temer in the sense of to
] think. That's a new one for me. I learn so much here! :)

So do I, that's why I sleep half an hour (or a whole hour) less than
I'd like to.

Derek Rogers

unread,
Jun 21, 2000, 3:00:00 AM6/21/00
to
"Sleepless in Seattle"<Spamless....@USA.net> wrote:

>I seem to recall a rule that tells us we must use the subjunctive

>after the use of "creer,"...

¡Discusión muy interesante! Talvez escriba alguién una gramática que
muestre los usajes de las diferentes partes del mundo
hispano-hablante. Quiero decir una gramática descriptiva, que muestre
las formas que utilice la gente en actualidad, y no una que prescribe
lo que deberían usar.

Interesting discussion! Perhaps someone will write a grammar showing
usages in different Spanish-speaking parts of the world - and I mean a
descriptive grammar, one which shows what forms people actually use,
rather than one which prescribes what they ought to use.

Angelico

unread,
Jun 22, 2000, 3:00:00 AM6/22/00
to
El día Wed, 21 Jun 2000 18:46:45 GMT, de...@derek.co.uk (Derek Rogers)

dejó su taza de café sobre el escritorio, crujió sus dedos y tecleó
para alt.usage.spanish:

] "Sleepless in Seattle"<Spamless....@USA.net> wrote:
]
] >I seem to recall a rule that tells us we must use the subjunctive
] >after the use of "creer,"...
]
] ¡Discusión muy interesante! Talvez escriba alguién una gramática que
] muestre los usajes de las diferentes partes del mundo
] hispano-hablante. Quiero decir una gramática descriptiva, que muestre
] las formas que utilice la gente en actualidad, y no una que prescribe
] lo que deberían usar.
]
] Interesting discussion! Perhaps someone will write a grammar showing
] usages in different Spanish-speaking parts of the world - and I mean a
] descriptive grammar, one which shows what forms people actually use,
] rather than one which prescribes what they ought to use.

Título: Gramática Descriptiva de la Lengua Española
Colección: Otras publicaciones de la R.A.E.
Autor: Ignacio Bosque
Precio: 19950 Ptas. - 119,9 Euros
ISBN: 84-239-7917-2

www.casadellibro.com


]
] de...@Language-Master.com : Resources for Language Learners : http://www.Language-Master.com

0 new messages