Subjunctive vs indicative — espérer / penser que

Subjunctive vs indicative — espérer / penser que means “Affirmed hope/opinion keeps the indicative (contrast with doubt → subjunctive)”. When hope or opinion is stated positively, the fact is presented as real, so the indicative is used: J'espère qu'il vient (I hope he's coming); Je pense qu'il a raison (I think he's right). Formation: J'espère que / Je pense que + indicatif (opinion/espoir affirmés)

Affirmed hope/opinion keeps the indicative (contrast with doubt → subjunctive)

B2

Formation

J'espère que / Je pense que + indicatif (opinion/espoir affirmés)

Explanation

When hope or opinion is stated positively, the fact is presented as real, so the indicative is used: J'espère qu'il vient (I hope he's coming); Je pense qu'il a raison (I think he's right). This contrasts with doubt or negated opinion, which take the subjunctive. Note that espérer keeps the indicative even though it expresses a wish.

Examples

J'espère qu'il fera beau demain.
I hope the weather will be nice tomorrow.
Je pense qu'elle a raison sur ce point.
I think she's right on this point.

FAQ

Subjunctive vs indicative — espérer / penser que — what does it mean and how is it used?

Affirmed hope/opinion keeps the indicative (contrast with doubt → subjunctive). When hope or opinion is stated positively, the fact is presented as real, so the indicative is used: J'espère qu'il vient (I hope he's coming); Je pense qu'il a raison (I think he's right). This contrasts with doubt or negated opinion, which take the subjunctive. Note that espérer keeps the indicative even though it expresses a wish.

Subjunctive vs indicative — espérer / penser que — how do you form it?

J'espère que / Je pense que + indicatif (opinion/espoir affirmés)

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