B2 Complex Sentences 5分钟阅读

Expressing Purpose:

Connect actions to goals using `para` (same subject/infinitive) or `para que` (different subjects/subjunctive) for precise communication.

The Rule in 30 Seconds

  • Use `para` + infinitive when the subject remains the same.
  • Use `para que` + subjunctive when the subjects are different.
  • Formal alternatives include `a fim de` and `com o intuito de`.
  • Always use the subjunctive mood after `para que` to express goals.

Quick Reference

Connector Verb Form Register Example
Para Infinitive Neutral Estudo para aprender.
Para que Subjunctive Neutral/Formal Falo para que ouças.
A fim de Infinitive Formal Trabalha a fim de subir.
A fim de que Subjunctive Very Formal Fez tudo a fim de que viesses.
De modo a Infinitive Formal/Literary Correu de modo a chegar cedo.
Com o intuito de Infinitive Professional Ligou com o intuito de ajudar.

关键例句

3 / 8
1

Eu economizo dinheiro para viajar no verão.

I save money to travel in the summer.

2

Eu te dou o mapa para que você não se perca.

I give you the map so that you don't get lost.

3

A empresa enviou o relatório a fim de esclarecer as dúvidas.

The company sent the report in order to clarify the doubts.

💡

The 'Que' Secret

If you see 'que' in a purpose clause, your brain should immediately yell 'Subjunctive!'. It's almost never the indicative.

⚠️

Para vs Por

Remember: 'Para' is a destination (a point in the future). 'Por' is the starting point (the reason why). Don't mix them up!

The Rule in 30 Seconds

  • Use `para` + infinitive when the subject remains the same.
  • Use `para que` + subjunctive when the subjects are different.
  • Formal alternatives include `a fim de` and `com o intuito de`.
  • Always use the subjunctive mood after `para que` to express goals.

Overview

Ever feel like you’re doing things without a clear reason? In grammar, we hate that. We want to know the "why" behind every action. This is where expressing purpose comes in. It’s how you link what you’re doing now to what you want to happen next. Whether you’re ordering a coffee para acordar (to wake up) or emailing your boss para que ele saiba (so that he knows) about your progress, you need these tools. Think of purpose clauses like a grammar bridge. They connect your current reality to your future intentions. In Portuguese, this bridge has two main lanes. One lane is for when you are the hero of both actions. The other lane is for when you need someone else to do something. At the B2 level, mastering this is what separates a basic speaker from a fluent one. It’s the difference between saying "I want water" and "I’m asking for water so that you don’t get thirsty."

How This Grammar Works

The most important rule is the "Subject Rule." Ask yourself: Who is doing the action? If the person doing the first action is the same person doing the second, it’s easy. You use the infinitive. If the subjects are different, things get spicy. You have to use the Subjunctive mood. This is like a grammar traffic light. If the subject stays the same, the light is green for the infinitive. If the subject changes, the light turns yellow, and you must switch to the subjunctive.

Formation Pattern

  1. 1Same Subject Pattern: Action + para + Infinitive.
  2. 2Example: Estudo (I study) + para + aprender (to learn).
  3. 3Different Subject Pattern: Action + para que + Present/Imperfect Subjunctive.
  4. 4Example: Eu falo baixo (I speak softly) + para que + você durma (so that you sleep).
  5. 5Formal Variation: Replace para with a fim de or com o intuito de.
  6. 6Example: Trabalhamos + a fim de melhorar + o serviço.
  7. 7Negative Purpose: Just add não before the verb.
  8. 8Example: Corro para não me atrasar (I run so I'm not late).

When To Use It

Use these patterns whenever you want to explain an intention.

  • In Job Interviews: Use com o objetivo de to sound professional. "I am here para que a empresa cresça (so that the company grows)."
  • In Restaurants: Explain how you want things done. "Could you bring the sauce separately para que eu possa provar?"
  • In Travel: Asking for directions or help. "I’m telling you this para você não se perder (so you don’t get lost)."
  • In Daily Life: Explaining your schedule. "Vou sair cedo para evitar o trânsito (I’m leaving early to avoid traffic)."

When Not To Use It

Don't confuse purpose with cause. A cause happened in the past; a purpose is a goal for the future. If you say "I’m happy porque (because) I won," that’s a cause. If you say "I’m playing para (in order to) win," that’s a purpose. Also, avoid using the indicative mood after para que. Even if it feels tempting, it sounds very "gringo" to a native ear. Yes, even native speakers mess this up sometimes in very informal speech, but at B2, you should aim higher. Think of it like a formal suit: you might not need it at the beach, but you definitely want it for the interview.

Common Mistakes

  • The Indicative Trap: Saying Para que você sabe instead of Para que você saiba. Always use the subjunctive after que in purpose clauses!
  • Forgetting the 'Que': If the subject changes, you must have the que. You can't say Peço para você faz. It must be Peço para que você faça.
  • Confusing Para vs Por: Por is usually about the reason or the "through." Para is the destination or the goal. Use para for purpose 99% of the time.
  • Double Infinitives: Don't say Vou para a fim de. Pick one and stick to it.

Contrast With Similar Patterns

  • Para vs Por: Estudo por amor (I study because of love/reason) vs Estudo para ser médico (I study to be a doctor/goal).
  • Para vs A fim de: Both mean "in order to." Para is your everyday jeans. A fim de is your tuxedo. Use a fim de in emails or reports to sound more sophisticated.
  • De modo a / De maneira a: These are like para but focus on the *result* or *manner*. "He spoke loudly de modo a be heard by everyone."

Quick FAQ

Q. Can I use para with a noun?

A. Yes! É um presente para você (It's a gift for you). But that's destination, not purpose grammar.

Q. Is pra okay to use?

A. In speaking, yes. Pra is just the short, lazy version of para. But don't write it in your B2 exam unless you want to see your teacher cry.

Q. Does para que always take the subjunctive?

A. Yes. It’s a package deal. You can't have one without the other. Think of them as inseparable best friends.

Q. What if I forget the subjunctive form?

A. Use para + the personal infinitive if the subject is clear. It’s a great "hack" in Portuguese to avoid complex conjugations, but para que is more elegant.

Q. How do I say "so as not to"?

A. Use para não + infinitive. Como pouco para não engordar (I eat little so as not to get fat).

Reference Table

Connector Verb Form Register Example
Para Infinitive Neutral Estudo para aprender.
Para que Subjunctive Neutral/Formal Falo para que ouças.
A fim de Infinitive Formal Trabalha a fim de subir.
A fim de que Subjunctive Very Formal Fez tudo a fim de que viesses.
De modo a Infinitive Formal/Literary Correu de modo a chegar cedo.
Com o intuito de Infinitive Professional Ligou com o intuito de ajudar.
💡

The 'Que' Secret

If you see 'que' in a purpose clause, your brain should immediately yell 'Subjunctive!'. It's almost never the indicative.

⚠️

Para vs Por

Remember: 'Para' is a destination (a point in the future). 'Por' is the starting point (the reason why). Don't mix them up!

🎯

Personal Infinitive Hack

Struggling with 'para que' and the subjunctive? You can often use 'para' + the personal infinitive (e.g., 'para eles fazerem') to sound natural without the 'que'.

💬

The Spoken 'Pra'

In Brazil and Portugal, 'para' is almost always pronounced as 'pra'. Use it in conversation to sound like a local, but write 'para' in formal texts.

例句

8
#1 Basic Same Subject

Eu economizo dinheiro para viajar no verão.

Focus: para viajar

I save money to travel in the summer.

Same subject (I) does both actions; use the infinitive.

#2 Basic Different Subject

Eu te dou o mapa para que você não se perca.

Focus: para que você não se perca

I give you the map so that you don't get lost.

Subjects change (I -> You); use the subjunctive.

#3 Formal Context

A empresa enviou o relatório a fim de esclarecer as dúvidas.

Focus: a fim de esclarecer

The company sent the report in order to clarify the doubts.

Professional tone using 'a fim de'.

#4 Edge Case: Personal Infinitive

Comprei os livros para eles lerem durante as férias.

Focus: para eles lerem

I bought the books for them to read during the holidays.

Using the personal infinitive after 'para' is a common alternative to 'para que'.

#5 Mistake Corrected

✗ Explico de novo para você entende. → ✓ Explico de novo para que você entenda.

Focus: para que você entenda

I explain again so you understand.

The subjunctive 'entenda' is required after 'para que'.

#6 Mistake Corrected

✗ Vou ao médico por ficar bom. → ✓ Vou ao médico para ficar bom.

Focus: para ficar bom

I go to the doctor to get well.

Use 'para' for goals, not 'por'.

#7 Informal (Spoken)

Me empresta o carro pra eu ir ao mercado?

Focus: pra eu ir

Can you lend me the car so I can go to the market?

'Pra' is the spoken contraction of 'para'.

#8 Advanced Usage

Ele organizou a reunião de modo a que todos participassem.

Focus: de modo a que

He organized the meeting so that everyone would participate.

'De modo a que' is a sophisticated way to express purpose and result.

自我测试

Choose the correct form to express purpose with different subjects.

Eu trouxe este livro para que você ___ mais sobre a história.

✓ 正确！ ✗ 不太对。 正确答案： saiba

After 'para que', we use the present subjunctive ('saiba') because the subjects are different (I and You).

Complete the sentence expressing a personal goal (same subject).

Ela estuda muito ___ conseguir uma bolsa de estudos.

✓ 正确！ ✗ 不太对。 正确答案： para

'Para' followed by an infinitive is the standard way to express purpose when the subject is the same.

Select the formal connector for a business email.

Escrevo-lhe ___ de solicitar uma reunião.

✓ 正确！ ✗ 不太对。 正确答案： a fim

'A fim de' is the formal equivalent of 'para' and fits the professional context of the sentence.

🎉 得分： /3

视觉学习工具

Para vs. Para Que

Para (Simple)
Corro para chegar. I run to arrive.
Para Que (Complex)
Corro para que chegues. I run so you arrive.

Deciding the Verb Form

1

Is the subject of both verbs the same?

YES ↓
NO
Use 'para que' + Subjunctive mood.
2

Use 'para' + Infinitive. Is it formal?

YES ↓
NO
Standard 'para' + Infinitive.
3

Try 'a fim de' or 'com o intuito de'.

NO
Done.

Connectors by Context

☕

Daily Life

  • • para
  • • pra
👔

Work/Formal

  • • a fim de
  • • com o objetivo de
  • • de modo a

常见问题

20 个问题

No, it's also used for direction (vou para casa) and deadlines (é para amanhã). For purpose, it must be followed by a verb.

'Pra' is just a contraction of 'para'. Use 'pra' when speaking with friends, but always write 'para' in formal documents.

Strictly speaking, no. It requires the subjunctive because it expresses an intention or a goal, not a guaranteed fact.

They are usually trying to sound more formal or precise. In slang, estar a fim de means 'to want' something, but that's a different usage.

It sounds redundant. Instead of Eu estudo para que eu passe, just say Eu estudo para passar.

Yes, but mostly in professional writing or academic papers. You won't hear it at a bar while ordering beers.

Use the Present Subjunctive if the main verb is in the present/future (falo para que ouças) and the Imperfect Subjunctive if it's in the past (falei para que ouvisses).

You can't really have 'purpose' without an action, but you can say para o benefício de (for the benefit of) followed by a noun.

Yes, usually in response to a question. Para que você quer isso? (What do you want that for?).

Para que is 'so that' (goal). Porque is 'because' (reason). If you're looking forward, use para. If you're looking back, use porque.

Yes, but it implies a specific manner or setup. It's like saying 'in such a way as to'.

No, never. Portuguese uses para + infinitive, unlike English which sometimes uses 'for' + -ing.

Rarely. In modern Portuguese, the present subjunctive has almost entirely replaced the future subjunctive in purpose clauses.

That's an idiom meaning 'I'm in the mood for' or 'I fancy'. It's different from the purpose connector a fim de.

Use para evitar or para não. For example: Tomo remédio para não ficar doente.

Yes: para que não. Falo baixo para que não me ouçam (I speak low so they don't hear me).

As an adjective meaning 'related' (interesses afins), yes. But for purpose, it is always two words: a fim.

A bit. Most people would use para + personal infinitive like mandei para você ver instead of para que você veja.

Using the indicative after para que because English doesn't change the verb much in 'so that' clauses.

Only in deadlines, like para segunda-feira (by Monday). In purpose, it's always 'to' or 'for'.

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上一步
Conjunção Assim
下一步
Expressing Purpose: Para

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