Word
Dudo que los extraterrestres existan.
Meaning
I doubt that aliens exist.
Part of speech
sentence
Pronunciation
Course
Breakdown of Dudo que los extraterrestres existan.
que
that / than
dudar
to doubt
el extraterrestre
the alien
existir
to exist
Questions & Answers about Dudo que los extraterrestres existan.
Why is existan used here instead of the regular present tense existen?
The verb dudar (to doubt) triggers the subjunctive. Whenever you use dudar que (to doubt that), you are showing uncertainty about the second part of the sentence. Because it is not being declared as a known fact, the second verb must be in the subjunctive mood (existan).
If the sentence meant 'I do not doubt that aliens exist,' would we still use the subjunctive?
No, it would change to the normal indicative mood: No dudo que los extraterrestres existen. By saying 'I do not doubt,' you are expressing certainty and stating a fact, so the subjunctive is no longer needed.
Why is there a los before extraterrestres when the English translation just says 'aliens'?
In Spanish, when you talk about a general category or concept (like aliens in general), you must include the definite article. English drops the article for plural general nouns, but Spanish requires it.
How is the subjunctive form existan created from existir?