Verbs expressing opinions, doubts, hopes, or fears usually require che followed by the subjunctive. However, if the subject of the main clause and the dependent clause is the same, you avoid the subjunctive.
Instead, drop che and use di + the infinitive.
Beliefs and Thoughts
When saying "I think that I am..." or "He believes that he...", the subject of both actions is identical. Use pensare di or credere di followed directly by the infinitive.
| The psychologist believes he understands the problem. | Lo psicologo crede di capire il problema. |
| I don't think I'm crazy at all! | Non penso mica di essere pazzo! |
Hopes and Fears
The same rule applies to emotions. Instead of saying "I hope that I improve," Italian phrasing translates closer to "I hope to improve." Verbs like sperare (to hope) and temere (to fear) link directly to your own actions using di.
| I hope to be able to improve my self-esteem. | Spero di poter migliorare la mia autostima. |
| I hope to overcome my anxiety. | Spero di superare l'ansia. |
| I fear discovering something terrible. | Temo di scoprire qualcosa di terribile. |
Doubts and Imagination
Use this di + infinitive construction with verbs like dubitare (to doubt) and immaginare (to imagine) whenever you are talking about your own actions or capabilities.
| Without self-esteem, I doubt I am capable of facing the world. | Senza autostima, dubito di essere capace di affrontare il mondo. |
| He imagines overcoming his fear. | Lui immagina di superare la sua paura. |
Linking Multiple Infinitives
To list multiple actions that share the same subject, repeat di before each infinitive to keep the sentence balanced and clear.
| I hope to improve and see the progress in therapy. | Spero di migliorare e di vedere il progresso nella terapia. |
