Breakdown of Je doute que ce tableau soit un chef-d'œuvre.
je
I
être
to be
un
a / an (masculine)
ce
this (before a noun)
Questions & Answers about Je doute que ce tableau soit un chef-d'œuvre.
Why do we use the subjunctive soit instead of the indicative est here?
The verb douter (to doubt) expresses uncertainty, which is a classic trigger for the subjunctive mood. When you say Je doute que, you are casting doubt on the reality of the following statement, so it requires the subjunctive soit (from être).
How would the meaning and the grammar change if we used the reflexive Je me doute que instead?
Adding the reflexive pronoun changes the meaning entirely! While douter means to doubt, se douter means to suspect or to have a strong feeling that something is true. Because se douter que expresses probability rather than doubt, it takes the indicative. So, Je me doute que ce tableau est un chef-d'œuvre means I suspect that this painting is a masterpiece.
Can I drop the word que and just say Je doute ce tableau to mean I doubt this painting?
What makes up the word chef-d'œuvre and how do I make it plural?