Spanish grammar
Está claro que + indicative, no está claro que + subjunctive
Say what you doubt and what is clear, using no creo que / dudo que / no está claro que.
From the scene No creo que gane (I don't think he'll win)
In short
Está claro que states a fact: indicative. No está claro que, no creo que and dudo que express doubt: subjunctive.
Your turn
Which one goes with I don't think Don Ramón will win?
Options: no está claro que gane Doña Elena · no creo que Don Ramón gane · está claro que la mayoría apoya a Doña Elena
Show answer
I don't think Don Ramón will win → no creo que Don Ramón gane
How it works
Doubting something puts the next verb in the subjunctive: no creo que gane, dudo que pague.
Good to know
Está claro que presents a fact, so it takes the indicative: está claro que la mayoría la apoya.
Good to know
Add no and it becomes a doubt, so it takes the subjunctive: no está claro que gane.
it's clear that the majority supports her (a fact) está claro que la mayoría apoya a Doña Elena
Tomás
Está claro que la mayoría apoya a Doña Elena.
It's clear that the majority supports Doña Elena.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
(blank).
Options: No está claro que gane Doña Elena · Está claro que la mayoría apoya a Doña Elena · No creo que Don Ramón gane
Show answer
Tomás
Está claro que la mayoría apoya a Doña Elena.
It's clear that the majority supports Doña Elena.
I don't think Don Ramón will win no creo que Don Ramón gane
Your turn
What goes with no creo que Don Ramón gane?
Options: I don't think Don Ramón will win · it's clear that the majority supports her (a fact) · it's not clear that she'll win
Show answer
no creo que Don Ramón gane → I don't think Don Ramón will win
it's not clear that she'll win no está claro que gane Doña Elena
Nuria
No está claro que gane Doña Elena. Don Ramón tiene poder e influencia en la comunidad.
It's not clear that Doña Elena will win. Don Ramón has power and influence in the community.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
(blank). Don Ramón tiene poder e influencia en la comunidad.
Options: No creo que Don Ramón gane · No está claro que gane Doña Elena · Está claro que la mayoría apoya a Doña Elena
Show answer
Nuria
No está claro que gane Doña Elena. Don Ramón tiene poder e influencia en la comunidad.
It's not clear that Doña Elena will win. Don Ramón has power and influence in the community.
I doubt Don Ramón will pay for it dudo que Don Ramón lo pague
Tomás
Órale... dudo que Don Ramón lo pague. Jamás, ni por orden del ministro.
Wow... I doubt Don Ramón will pay. Never, not even on a minister's orders.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
Órale... (blank). Jamás, ni por orden del ministro.
Options: no creo que Don Ramón gane · dudo que Don Ramón lo pague · está claro que la mayoría apoya a Doña Elena
Show answer
Tomás
Órale... dudo que Don Ramón lo pague. Jamás, ni por orden del ministro.
Wow... I doubt Don Ramón will pay. Never, not even on a minister's orders.
I doubt this is democracy dudo que esto sea democracia
Nuria
Y dudo que esto sea democracia. Don Ramón quiere contar los votos.
And I doubt this is democracy. Don Ramón wants to count the votes.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
Y (blank). Don Ramón quiere contar los votos.
Options: dudo que esto sea democracia · está claro que la mayoría apoya a Doña Elena · no creo que Don Ramón gane
Show answer
Nuria
Y dudo que esto sea democracia. Don Ramón quiere contar los votos.
And I doubt this is democracy. Don Ramón wants to count the votes.
Common mistake
Not apoye or apoyar here. Está claro que = a fact.
Está claro que la mayoría apoya a Doña Elena.
It's clear that the majority supports Doña Elena.
Practise it in the story
Meet this rule inside a short animated scene. Answer as it plays, then say the lines yourself.
Practise free in the appSee all forms
| it's clear that the majority supports her (a fact) | está claro que la mayoría apoya a Doña Elena |
|---|---|
| I don't think Don Ramón will win | no creo que Don Ramón gane |
| it's not clear that she'll win | no está claro que gane Doña Elena |
| I doubt Don Ramón will pay for it | dudo que Don Ramón lo pague |
| I doubt this is democracy | dudo que esto sea democracia |
More lines from the story
- JaviMis papás ya volvieron a Medellín. ¿Qué me perdí?My parents have gone back to Medellín. What did I miss?
- NuriaUn ascensor. En su opinión, debe pagarlo Don Ramón.A lift. She thinks Don Ramón should pay for it.