Using Le Subjonctif after penser, trouver. savoir, croire, prétendre + que in the negative

Aurélie Drouard
2020-02-02
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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 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

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