French moods
Indicative or subjunctive after an opinion?
The subjunctive does not simply mean “uncertain” and the indicative does not simply mean “true.” Start with the expression that introduces the clause and the stance it creates.
Core contrast
| Speaker’s stance | Typical expressions | Mood |
|---|---|---|
| Opinion or belief presented as the speaker’s view | je pense que, je crois que, je trouve que | Indicative |
| Certainty or probability | je suis sûr que, il est clair que, il est probable que | Indicative |
| Possibility or doubt | il est possible que, je doute que, il se peut que | Subjunctive |
| Will, necessity or emotion | je veux que, il faut que, je regrette que | Subjunctive |
Affirmative opinion: usually indicative
Je pense que cette solution est plus simple.
The speaker presents this as their view, so est is indicative.
Il est probable que les résultats arriveront demain.
Probability is still presented as likely, so the future indicative works here.
Negated opinion: often subjunctive
Negating penser, croire or trouver commonly withdraws endorsement and creates doubt.
Je ne pense pas qu’il soit disponible ce matin.
I do not think he is available—the speaker does not endorse the clause as a fact.
Context still matters: a speaker can occasionally use the indicative to insist on information despite the negation. The construction guides you, but the intended stance completes the decision.
Two useful exceptions to memorise
Espérer que takes the indicative
J’espère qu’elle viendra demain.
A hope introduced by espérer que uses the indicative, often the future.
Known facts can still appear in the subjunctive
Je regrette qu’il soit parti.
His departure can be completely real; the emotion construction still selects the subjunctive.
Common mistakes
✗ Il est possible qu’elle gagnera.
✓ Il est possible qu’elle gagne.
Possibility selects the subjunctive.
✗ J’espère qu’il vienne.
✓ J’espère qu’il viendra.
Espérer que takes the indicative; compare je souhaite qu’il vienne.
Try the decision in FKE
Open the full reference to compare certainty, probability, possibility and doubt, then follow its links into subjunctive practice.
Practise indicative vs subjunctive