Adverbs of doubt and probability
In Spanish, adverbs of probability like quizás (maybe), tal vez (perhaps), and probablemente (probably) take either the indicative or the subjunctive depending on your level of certainty:
- Use the indicative if you are confident the statement is true or highly likely.
- Use the subjunctive if you have more doubt or the statement is less probable.
The indicative (more certainty)
Use the indicative when you feel the event is very likely:
| Perhaps the new hairdresser cuts hair well. | Tal vez el nuevo peluquero corta bien el pelo. |
| My brother is probably going to dye his hair blonde tomorrow. | Probablemente mi hermano se va a teñir de rubio mañana. |
The subjunctive (more doubt)
Use the subjunctive to express a lower degree of certainty:
| Maybe you will like the new haircut. | Quizás te guste el nuevo corte. |
| Maybe the dye is too dark. | Quizás el tinte sea demasiado oscuro. |
Declaring a belief
If you use an adverb of doubt after phrases that declare a belief, like creo que (I believe/think that) or pienso que (I think that), always use the indicative. Stating what you firmly believe overrides the adverb's doubt.
| I think that I probably prefer loose hair. | Creo que probablemente prefiero el pelo suelto. |
| I think that maybe dyeing hair is difficult. | Pienso que quizás teñir el pelo es difícil. |
Puede que, es posible que, es probable que
These three always take the subjunctive: Puede que *llueva mañana. Es posible que **llegue tarde. Es probable que **esté en casa. *Seguramente means probably, not surely, and usually takes the indicative: Seguramente *está en casa.*
