"Penser/trouver/savoir/croire/prétendre que" are followed with the indicative mood (L'Indicatif) in affirmative sentences BUT with the subjunctive mood (Le Subjonctif) in negative ones

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In French, the expressions "penser/trouver/savoir/croire/prétendre que" are followed either by the Mode subjonctif or by the Mode indicatif. Let's learn when to use which.

Using Mode subjonctif or Mode indicatif with "penser / trouver / savoir / croire / prétendre que" in French

Look at these expressions of positive and negative (using negations) opinions (i.e. using affirmative or negative sentences):

Je pense que c'est génial.I think (that) this is great.

Je ne pense pas que ce soit nécessaire.I don't think (that) it's necessary.

Ils croient que Luc peut le faire.They believe that Luc can do it.

Ils ne croient pas que Martha puisse le faire.They don't believe that Martha can do it.
 

Note that with the following expressions of opinion, the mode of the following verb changes in accordance with whether the opinion is expressed in an affirmative or negative form (using negative structures like ne...pas etc).

penser que + Indicatif  (to think that) /  ne pas penser que + Subjonctif  

- trouver que  (to find that)

- savoir que (to know that)

- croire que  (to believe that)

- prétendre que (to claim that)

 

Note that many people nowadays happen to make the mistake of using the Indicative mode instead of the Subjunctive. But that's not a reason to do it yourself! 

 

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Examples and resources

Je pense que c'est génial.I think (that) this is great.
Je ne pense pas que ce soit nécessaire.I don't think (that) it's necessary.
Elle ne trouve pas qu'il fasse beaucoup d'effort.She doesn't find that he makes much effort.
Tu sais qu'elle est comme ça.You know that she's like that.
Je ne sais pas que ce soit vrai.I don't know that this is true.
Ils croient que Luc peut le faire.They believe that Luc can do it.
Ils ne croient pas que Martha puisse le faire.They don't believe that Martha can do it.
Elle trouve que son copain fait des efforts.She finds that her boyfriend makes efforts.
Je ne prétends pas que ce soit comme ça partout.I don't claim it's like that everywhere.
Il prétend que ce n'est pas légal.He claims that it's not legal.
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