lai + Conditional (Purpose)

In Order to: Lai

Level 4

Say why with lai + the conditional: Es mācos latviešu valodu, lai varētu strādāt Latvijā. (I am learning Latvian so that I can work in Latvia.)

How It Works

1. The pattern. Main clause + comma + lai + conditional:

  • Es ceļos agri, lai paspētu uz vilcienu. (I get up early to catch the train.)
  • Viņa taupa naudu, lai nopirktu dzīvokli. (She is saving money to buy a flat.)

The conditional has the same form for every person, so the verb does not change: lai es varētu, lai mēs varētu.

2. Same or different subject. When the purpose is for the same person, leave the subject out, as above. When someone else is involved, name them: Runā lēnāk, lai visi saprastu. (Speak more slowly so that everyone understands.) Atver logu, lai istabā būtu svaigs gaiss. (Open the window so that there is fresh air in the room.)

3. Purpose first. The lai clause can come first: Lai iemācītos valodu, jārunā katru dienu. (To learn a language, you have to speak every day.) A comma still separates the clauses (see commas in Latvian).

4. Other verb forms. The conditional is the usual choice. The present is also sometimes used after lai, as in Runā skaļāk, lai visi dzird. The conditional is the safe choice when you are learning.

5. Related patterns. After verbs of motion, a plain infinitive can show purpose: Es eju pirkt maizi (see going to do something). Lai also follows gribēt for "want someone to" (see gribēt, lai).

Examples (6)

  1. Es mācos latviešu valodu, lai varētu strādāt Latvijā.

    I am learning Latvian so that I can work in Latvia.

    Varēt → varētu. The subject es is not repeated.

  2. Es ceļos agri, lai paspētu uz vilcienu.

    I get up early to catch the train.

    Paspēt → paspētu.

  3. Viņa taupa naudu, lai nopirktu dzīvokli.

    She is saving money to buy a flat.

    The purpose belongs to the same person, so no new subject is needed.

  4. Runā lēnāk, lai visi saprastu.

    Speak more slowly so that everyone understands.

    A different subject, visi, is named after lai.

  5. Atver logu, lai istabā būtu svaigs gaiss.

    Open the window so that there is fresh air in the room.

    Būt → būtu.

  6. Lai iemācītos valodu, jārunā katru dienu.

    To learn a language, you have to speak every day.

    The lai clause can come first.

Common Mistakes

  • Using an infinitive after lai.

    Viņa taupa naudu, lai nopirkt dzīvokli.
    Viņa taupa naudu, lai nopirktu dzīvokli.

    Lai needs a finite verb, usually the conditional: nopirkt → nopirktu.

  • Using a bare infinitive for purpose, as in English.

    Es mācos latviešu valodu strādāt Latvijā.
    Es mācos latviešu valodu, lai strādātu Latvijā.

    Only verbs of motion can take a plain infinitive of purpose. Otherwise, use lai + conditional.

  • Using ka instead of lai.

    Es ceļos agri, ka paspētu uz vilcienu.
    Es ceļos agri, lai paspētu uz vilcienu.

    Ka means "that" after verbs like zināt and teikt. A purpose needs lai.

How It Connects

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

lai + Conditional (Purpose)Level 4In Order to: Lai

Learn This First

Lai gives a purpose with the conditional.

Words in This Pattern