WIDE Subjunctive vs. Indicative

Question

Would someone please explain to me the double negative rule when putting doubtful phrases in questions (ex: ¿no crees que me quieres?) and also why is it “tú no dudas que yo logre mis metas instead of “logro”??

Answer 1

Hola Rebecca,

Sentences with uncertainty trigger the subjunctive mood in the verb following the verb of doubt, but only when the subject of the sentence remains the same for both verbs.

¿No crees que me quieres? You don't think that you love you me? Querer would be in the subjunctive form if the subjects were different. However, because they are both in the "tú" format, the subjunctive is not needed.

¿Tú no dudas que yo logro mis metas? Lograr should be indicative, not subjunctive because there is no uncertainty. No dudas=you do not doubt.

Answer 2

Rebecca,

I like Alexandria's answer and wanted to add a couple of notes:

1. The verb querer in your first example actually doesn't even need to be conjugated, as there is no change in subject. Therefore, it would look as simple as: ¿No crees quererme?
2. The reason we use the "que" in phrases with the subjunctive mood is to indicate a change in subject, which is what really triggers the subjunctive (but only when the sentence is expressing or using doubt, desire, suggestion/recommendation, verbs of emotion, value judgment, etc.). So, if there's no change in subject, as Alexandria mentioned, even when the sentence's main idea/purpose falls into the category of reasons for subjunctive (the ones I listed previously), the sentence would still not need the word "que" or, therefore, a verb in the subjunctive.

I hope this helps, but I recognize how tricky the subjunctive vs. indicative is. Please reach out if you have further questions!