Breakdown of Loro dubitano che noi troviamo il gioiello.
noi
we
loro
they
trovare
to find
il gioiello
the jewel
Questions & Answers about Loro dubitano che noi troviamo il gioiello.
Why is the subjunctive used in this sentence?
The verb dubitare (to doubt) expresses uncertainty. Verbs of opinion, belief, or doubt followed by che trigger the subjunctive mood in the second part of the sentence, because the action isn't an established fact.
Wait, isn't troviamo just the normal present tense?
It looks exactly like it! For all verbs in Italian, the noi form in the present subjunctive is identical to the regular present indicative. Even though it looks like the normal present tense, it is grammatically acting as the subjunctive here because it follows the trigger dubitano che.
The English translation says 'we will find', so why doesn't Italian use the future tense here?
Italian doesn't have a future subjunctive tense. When a subjunctive trigger like dubitano che is used, the present subjunctive takes over and covers both present actions and future actions.
Do we have to include the subject pronouns loro and noi?
They are optional. In the subjunctive, it's often helpful to include pronouns because the singular verb forms (for I, you, and he/she) are identical and can cause confusion. However, since the noi form ending is unique (-iamo), dropping it is perfectly fine. Keeping the pronouns here just adds a little emphasis, contrasting what they doubt with what we do.