Expressing negative opinions
When you state a belief or opinion using verbs like creer (to believe) or pensar (to think), you use the indicative mood because you are declaring what you consider to be true.
However, when you make these verbs negative (no creer que, no pensar que), you are introducing doubt or denying that reality. This shift from certainty to doubt triggers the subjunctive mood in the following clause.
| I don't think the wallpaper harmonizes with the rug. | No creo que el papel tapiz armonice con la alfombra. |
| She doesn't think this print is very aesthetic. | Ella no piensa que este estampado sea muy estético. |
| We don't think the sofa's texture is hideous. | No pensamos que la textura del sofá sea espantosa. |
Opinions with "no parecer que"
The verb parecer (to seem) is also a verb of perception and opinion. It works like the verb gustar, using indirect object pronouns (me, te, le, nos, les) to indicate who holds the opinion.
Just like with creer and pensar, using parecer in the negative (no me parece que, no le parece que) requires the subjunctive in the clause that follows it.
| It doesn't seem to me that the layout is that good. | No me parece que la distribución sea tan buena. |
| It doesn't seem to us that those textures clash. | No nos parece que esas texturas desentonen. |
| He doesn't think the layout improves the contrast. | A él no le parece que la distribución mejore el contraste. |
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