Question: Is the Subjunctive Used after 'Opinar'?
Answer: I had learned that one would use the subjunctive after opinar que, "opino que ella sea muy bonita," for example. It always made sense because it is expressing one's opinion. Now I am unsure because I hear native speakers saying, "opino que es." Please help.
Although the subjunctive mood normally is used after que in an expression that expresses doubt, this does not extend to statements of mere opinion — even when the opinion falls short of certainty. Thus it is typical to use the indicative mood after opinar que (to have the opinion that), creer que (to believe that), parecer que (to seem that) and pensar que (to think that). However, when such verbs are used in the negative the subjunctive follows, just as the subjunctive follows when doubt or denial is expressed.
Here are some examples:
- Opino que tienes razón. I think you're right. (indicative)
- La gente piensa que mi vida es una fiesta. People think my life is a party. (indicative)
- La Comisión Europea no cree que el motor de búsqueda vulnere la privacidad del usuario. The European Commission doesn't think the search engine violated the user's privacy. (subjunctive)
- No opinamos que estemos en una nueva fase. We don't think we're in a new phase. (subjunctive)
- Las congresistas opinan que revivir IVA del 2 por ciento es un error. Members of Congress think that reviving the 2 percent value-added tax is a mistake. (indicative)
- Me parece que es un asunto que afecta no solo a esta generación sino también a las que vendrán.It seems to me it is a point that affects not only this generation but also those to come. (indicative)
- No le parece que la telenovela haya sido un fracaso. It doesn't seem to him that the soap opera has been a disaster. (subjunctive)
