kad + conditional
Purpose and Requests with Kad
kad + conditional (-čiau, -tum, -tų) = so that, that someone should: Atėjau, kad padėčiau. (I came to help.)
How It Works
1. Purpose: so that. The kad clause tells why something is done.
- Atėjau, kad padėčiau. (I came to help.)
- Kalbėk garsiau, kad visi girdėtų. (Speak louder so that everyone can hear.)
- Apsirenk šilčiau, kad nesušaltum. (Dress warmly so that you don't get cold.)
2. Wanting and asking someone else to act. English says I want you to come. A natural Lithuanian pattern is kad with the conditional: Noriu, kad tu ateitum. The same happens after prašyti (to ask), reikalauti (to demand), patarti (to advise), reikia and svarbu:
- Mama prašo, kad grįžtum anksti. (Mom asks you to come back early.)
- Svarbu, kad visi ateitų laiku. (It is important that everyone comes on time.)
3. Wishes. A clause that starts with kad, often with tik, can stand alone as a wish: Kad tik nelytų! (I hope it doesn't rain!)
4. Kad with a fact or with a goal. Compare the two uses of kad. After knowing and saying, the verb stays in the normal tense, as in content clauses with kad: Žinau, kad jis ateis. (I know he will come.) After wanting, asking and aiming, use the conditional: Noriu, kad jis ateitų. (I want him to come.)
5. The forms. Build the conditional from the infinitive stem: padėti → padėčiau, padėtum, padėtų, padėtume, padėtumėte. See the conditional mood. Separate a following kad clause from the main clause with a comma.
Examples (6)
- Atėjau, kad padėčiau.
I came to help.
Word by Word: I-came, that I-would-help.
- Mama prašo, kad grįžtum anksti.
Mom asks you to come back early.
Word by Word: Mom asks, that you-would-return early.
- Noriu, kad tu ateitum į mano gimtadienį.
I want you to come to my birthday party.
Word by Word: I-want, that you would-come to my birthday.
English uses "want you to"; Lithuanian uses kad and the conditional.
- Kalbėk garsiau, kad visi girdėtų.
Speak louder so that everyone can hear.
Word by Word: Speak louder, that all would-hear.
- Apsirenk šilčiau, kad nesušaltum.
Dress more warmly so that you don't get cold.
Word by Word: Dress warmer, that you-would-not-get-cold.
Ne- joins the conditional verb for "so that ... not".
- Kad tik nelytų!
I hope it doesn't rain!
Word by Word: That only would-not-rain!
Common Mistakes
Using the present tense after kad for a purpose.
Atėjau, kad padedu.Atėjau, kad padėčiau.A purpose is a goal, not a fact, so the verb after kad goes into the conditional: padėčiau.
Copying English "want someone to do".
Noriu tave ateiti.Noriu, kad tu ateitum.For the intended meaning “I want you to come”, use Noriu, kad tu ateitum. Norėti with an infinitive normally shares its subject with that infinitive.
Using the future after a request.
Mama prašo, kad aš grįšiu anksti.Mama prašo, kad aš grįžčiau anksti.After prašyti, norėti and reikia, the kad clause is a request, so it takes the conditional, not the future.
How It Connects
Learn This First
Kad with the conditional expresses a goal, wish or requested action.
Related Patterns
- Going Somewhere to Do Something
After a verb of going, an infinitive can show purpose for the same person.
Level 2 - norėti / galėti / mokėti + infinitiveWant, Can and Know How with an Infinitive
Norėti + infinitive is for your own wish; kad + conditional is for someone else.
Level 1 - Dative of Purpose
The dative can also show purpose, as in pinigai kelionei.
Level 3 - idantArchaic Purpose with Idant (Recognition)
Idant is an old, literary word used like kad in this meaning.
Level 6
Learn Next
Patterns that build on this one.
Words in This Pattern
Practice kad + conditional in Bubblegum
Poppy, your AI tutor, writes Lithuanian lessons at your level. Tap any grammar point in a lesson to see its full explanation.
