para que + Subjunctive

Purpose with Para Que

Level 3

Para que means "so that" and is always followed by the subjunctive: Fálolle amodo para que me entenda (I speak slowly to him so that he understands me).

How It Works

Different subject: para que + subjunctive

(Eu) pecho a xanela para que non entre o frío (I close the window so that the cold does not get in). The purpose is not yet a fact, so it is always in the subjunctive.

Same subject: para + infinitive

Aforro para mercar un coche (I am saving to buy a car). Here para que would sound wrong.

The personal infinitive. Galician can also express a different subject with para + personal infinitive: Déixoche as chaves para entrares means the same as para que entres. See personal infinitive or subjunctive.

Pronouns go before the verb. After que, unstressed pronouns come first: para que me entenda, para que as vexades. See pronouns in subordinate clauses.

Past main verb. After a past verb, use the past subjunctive: Faleille amodo para que me entendese (I spoke slowly to him so that he would understand me). See sequence of tenses.

The question "para que?" means "what for?" and takes the indicative: Para que queres tantas caixas?

More formal: a fin de que has the same meaning in official texts.

Examples (6)

  1. Fálolle amodo para que me entenda.

    I speak slowly to him so that he understands me.

    Word by Word: I-speak-to-him slowly for that me he-understand.

    Entenda is the present subjunctive of entender, and me goes before it after que.

  2. Pecha a xanela para que non entre o frío.

    Close the window so that the cold does not get in.

    The subject of pecha is ti; the subject of entre is o frío, so para que is needed.

  3. Déixoche as chaves para que poidas entrar.

    I am leaving you the keys so that you can get in.

    Poidas is the subjunctive of poder.

  4. Traio unhas fotos para que as vexades.

    I have brought some photos so that you can all see them.

    Vexades is the vós subjunctive of ver; the pronoun as comes before it.

  5. Explícocho outra vez para que non haxa dúbidas.

    I will explain it to you again so that there are no doubts.

    Haxa is the subjunctive of haber in its impersonal use.

  6. Para que queres tantas caixas?

    What do you want so many boxes for?

    As a question, para que takes the indicative (queres).

Common Mistakes

  • Using the indicative after para que.

    Falo amodo para que me entendes.
    Falo amodo para que me entendas.

    A purpose is not yet a fact, so para que always takes the subjunctive.

  • Using para que when both verbs have the same subject.

    Estudo moito para que eu aprobe.
    Estudo moito para aprobar.

    When the person who acts and the person who benefits are the same, use para + infinitive.

  • Attaching the pronoun after the verb in the para que clause.

    Fálolle amodo para que entendame.
    Fálolle amodo para que me entenda.

    In clauses introduced by que, the unstressed pronoun goes before the verb.

How It Connects

Tap a pattern to see what it builds on and what it leads to.

para que + SubjunctiveLevel 3Purpose with Para Que

Learn This First

Para que gives the purpose of an action involving a separate subject.

Words in This Pattern