Purpose conjunctions (conjunções finais) introduce the goal of the main action: "I'm studying so that I can pass," "she called in order for us to know." English uses "so that," "in order that," and "in order to." Portuguese does something that English does not: it splits the territory by whether the two clauses share a subject. If they share a subject, PT-PT uses para + infinitive (or personal infinitive). If they have different subjects, PT-PT uses para que + subjunctive. This single rule governs more than half the purpose constructions you will ever see.
The other major theme of this page is the disambiguation between purpose and result. De modo que and de maneira que can introduce either — but the mood tells you which. Subjunctive = purpose ("so that X may happen"); indicative = result ("so that X did happen"). Once you see this, the difference is mechanical.
The same-subject rule — para + infinitive
When the main clause and the purpose clause share a subject, PT-PT uses para + infinitive. The infinitive is usually impersonal (unmarked) but can be the personal infinitive when marking the subject improves clarity or flow.
Estudo muito para passar no exame.
I study a lot to pass the exam. (same subject: I study, I pass)
Ela foi à farmácia para comprar um xarope.
She went to the pharmacy to buy cough syrup.
Saímos cedo para chegarmos a tempo.
We left early so that we'd arrive on time. (personal infinitive *chegarmos* marks 'we')
Liguei-te para te avisar da reunião.
I called you to let you know about the meeting.
The personal infinitive in chegarmos is optional — para chegar would also be understood — but marking the subject with the personal infinitive is a distinctively Portuguese elegance. It is especially natural when the subject of the purpose clause is plural or would otherwise be ambiguous.
The different-subject rule — para que + subjunctive
When the main clause and the purpose clause have different subjects, PT-PT requires para que + subjunctive. The subjunctive is present or imperfect depending on the tense of the main clause (standard sequence of tenses).
Saímos cedo para que eles chegassem a tempo.
We left early so that they would arrive on time. (different subjects: we/they)
Explicou devagar para que todos percebessem.
He explained slowly so that everyone would understand.
Deixo-te a chave para que possas entrar.
I'm leaving you the key so that you can come in.
Liga-me para que eu saiba que chegaste bem.
Call me so I know you got there safely.
Personal infinitive as a bridge
PT-PT accepts a third construction that sits between the two: para + personal infinitive with an explicit subject, even when the subjects differ. This is characteristic of the language and often preferred to para que + subjunctive in speech.
Saímos cedo para eles chegarem a tempo.
We left early so that they would arrive on time.
Deixei a porta aberta para tu entrares quando quiseres.
I left the door open so that you can come in whenever.
Both para que + subjunctive and para + personal infinitive are grammatical with different subjects. In everyday PT-PT, the personal-infinitive version is often more natural and conversational; para que + subjunctive is the more deliberate, slightly more formal choice, and the one you must use when the main verb is clearly subordinating.
A fim de que — formal "in order that"
A fim de que is the more formal sibling of para que. It appears in essays, reports, speeches, and formal letters. It always takes the subjunctive.
Convocámos a reunião a fim de que todos os membros estivessem presentes.
We called the meeting in order that all members should be present.
Este relatório foi elaborado a fim de que a administração possa tomar uma decisão informada.
This report has been prepared in order that the administration can make an informed decision.
A fim de + infinitive (same subject)
The prepositional variant is a fim de + infinitive (with the usual personal-infinitive option for explicit subjects). This is the formal parallel to para + infinitive.
Vim a fim de falar consigo sobre o contrato.
I came in order to speak with you about the contract.
Foram criadas novas regras a fim de evitarmos problemas futuros.
New rules have been drawn up in order for us to avoid future problems. (personal infinitive)
De modo que and de maneira que — purpose or result
Here is the disambiguation point. De modo que and de maneira que are ambiguous on their own — they can introduce either a purpose ("so that X may happen") or a result ("so that X did happen"). The mood is what disambiguates.
| Construction | Mood | Reading |
|---|---|---|
| de modo que + subjunctive | subjunctive | purpose — "so that X may/would" |
| de modo que + indicative | indicative | result — "so that X did/does" |
| de maneira que + subjunctive | subjunctive | purpose |
| de maneira que + indicative | indicative | result |
Purpose — subjunctive
Fala mais alto de modo que todos ouçam.
Speak louder so that everyone can hear. (purpose — *ouçam* subjunctive)
Expliquei de maneira que as crianças entendessem.
I explained in such a way that the children would understand. (purpose — imperfect subjunctive)
Result — indicative
Falou tão alto de modo que todos ouviram.
He spoke so loudly that everyone heard. (result — indicative *ouviram*)
Expliquei devagar, de maneira que as crianças entenderam tudo.
I explained slowly, so the children understood everything. (result — indicative)
De modo a (without que) takes an infinitive and expresses purpose — same-subject only. This is a common, useful formula.
Organizámos tudo de modo a poupar tempo.
We organised everything so as to save time. (same subject — infinitive)
Falem baixo, de modo a não acordar o bebé.
Talk quietly, so as not to wake the baby.
Que + subjunctive — the "come here so that" shorthand
A compact, colloquial construction uses a bare que to introduce a purpose clause. This is frequent in speech after imperatives.
Vem cá, que te mostro uma coisa.
Come here, so I can show you something.
Chega-te mais perto, que eu explico-te.
Come closer, so I'll explain to you.
Despacha-te, que não quero chegar atrasado.
Hurry up, I don't want to be late.
Strictly speaking, some of these que-clauses are causal rather than purposive ("hurry up, because I don't want to be late") — the boundary is fuzzy in speech. What matters is that this que + indicative/subjunctive construction is a living, everyday pattern and worth recognising.
More formal purpose locutions
For formal and semi-formal writing, PT-PT offers a set of prepositional locutions that take the infinitive (and the personal infinitive when the subject needs marking) or + que + subjunctive when introducing a full clause with a different subject.
| Locution | Meaning | Followed by | Register |
|---|---|---|---|
| para | to, so as to / so that | infinitive / que + subjunctive | neutral |
| para que | so that | subjunctive | neutral |
| a fim de | in order to | infinitive | semi-formal |
| a fim de que | in order that | subjunctive | formal |
| com o intuito de | with the intention of | infinitive | formal |
| com o objetivo de | with the aim of | infinitive | formal |
| com vista a | with a view to | infinitive | formal |
| de modo a | so as to | infinitive | neutral / semi-formal |
| de modo que / de maneira que | so that (purpose) | subjunctive | neutral |
Examples of the formal locutions
Foi lançada uma campanha com o intuito de reduzir o consumo de plástico.
A campaign has been launched with the intention of reducing plastic consumption.
Com vista a melhorar a qualidade do serviço, implementámos novas medidas.
With a view to improving service quality, we have implemented new measures.
A lei foi alterada com o objetivo de proteger os consumidores.
The law was amended with the aim of protecting consumers.
Purpose vs cause — a common confusion
English "so" is ambiguous: "I ran so I wouldn't be late" (purpose) vs "I ran, so I arrived on time" (cause/result). Portuguese keeps these separate:
- Purpose ("so that X may happen") → para que
- subjunctive, para
- infinitive
- subjunctive, para
- Cause ("because of which" / "so, as a result") → porque, por isso, assim, logo
Corri para não chegar atrasado.
I ran in order not to be late. (purpose)
Corri, por isso não cheguei atrasado.
I ran, so I didn't arrive late. (result)
Mixing these is a classic English-speaker error. Corri, para não chegar atrasado and Corri, por isso não cheguei atrasado look superficially similar and both translate to "I ran so I wasn't late" — but one is a purpose (intention, not necessarily achieved) and the other is a result (actually not late).
Purpose clauses in context
Giving a reason for an action
Acordei cedo para ter tempo de tomar o pequeno-almoço com calma.
I woke up early to have time to eat breakfast calmly.
In a formal report
Foi elaborado um plano a fim de que as metas sejam cumpridas até ao final do ano.
A plan has been drawn up in order that the targets be met by the end of the year.
In a classroom instruction
Fiquem em silêncio para que a Joana possa concentrar-se no teste.
Stay quiet so that Joana can concentrate on the test.
In a casual exchange
Mandei-lhe o link para ele saber onde é o encontro.
I sent him the link so he'd know where the meeting is.
Giving a directive
Chega-te para ali, que eu me sento aí.
Move over there, so I can sit here.
Common mistakes
❌ Saímos cedo para que nós chegássemos a tempo.
Clumsy — when the subject is the same, use *para* + infinitive (or personal infinitive).
✅ Saímos cedo para chegarmos a tempo.
We left early so that we would arrive on time.
❌ Liga-me para que eu sei que chegaste.
Wrong — *para que* always takes the subjunctive.
✅ Liga-me para que eu saiba que chegaste.
Call me so that I know you got there.
❌ Para eles chegar a tempo, saímos cedo.
Wrong — when using *para* + infinitive with different subjects, PT-PT uses the personal infinitive: *chegarem*.
✅ Para eles chegarem a tempo, saímos cedo.
For them to arrive on time, we left early.
❌ Falei alto de modo que todos ouçam.
Mixed signals — the main verb is past; use imperfect subjunctive, or switch to indicative if the result is actual.
✅ Falei alto de modo que todos ouvissem. / Falei alto, de modo que todos ouviram.
I spoke loudly so that everyone would hear. / I spoke loudly, so everyone heard.
❌ Corri, para não cheguei atrasado.
Wrong — purpose requires infinitive or subjunctive, never an indicative form like *cheguei*.
✅ Corri para não chegar atrasado.
I ran in order not to be late.
❌ A fim de que todos percebem a regra, expliquei duas vezes.
Wrong — *a fim de que* takes the subjunctive.
✅ A fim de que todos percebessem a regra, expliquei duas vezes.
In order that everyone would understand the rule, I explained twice.
Key takeaways
- Same subject → para
- infinitive
- Different subjects → para que
- subjunctive
- A fim de que
- subjunctive is the formal counterpart; a fim de
- infinitive parallels para.
- subjunctive is the formal counterpart; a fim de
- De modo que / de maneira que are disambiguated by mood: subjunctive = purpose, indicative = result.
- De modo a
- infinitive is a neat same-subject purpose formula.
- In speech, a bare que after an imperative often introduces purpose (vem cá, que te mostro).
- Formal locutions: com o intuito de, com o objetivo de, com vista a — all followed by the infinitive.
- The personal infinitive is your friend — use it whenever the subject of the purpose clause needs marking.
Related Topics
- Conjunctions OverviewA2 — Words that connect clauses and sentences in Portuguese — from simple *e* and *mas* to the formal *uma vez que* and *dado que*.
- Result Conjunctions (Tão…que, Tanto…que)B1 — Expressing consequence and real result — the *tão…que* and *tanto…que* patterns, the *de tal forma que* family, and how mood distinguishes result from purpose.
- Causal Conjunctions (Porque, Pois, Já que, Visto que)A2 — Expressing cause and reason — from the everyday *porque* to the formal *uma vez que*, *visto que*, and *dado que*, plus the noun-phrase expressions *devido a* and *em virtude de*.