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Ich hoffe, dass du die Prüfung bestehst.

Ich hoffe, dass du die Prüfung bestehst.
I hope that you pass the exam.
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Questions & Answers about Ich hoffe, dass du die Prüfung bestehst.

Why is there a comma before dass?

In German, a comma is normally required before a subordinating conjunction like dass when it introduces a subordinate clause.

  • Ich hoffe, main clause
  • dass du die Prüfung bestehst. subordinate clause (a dass-clause)

The comma marks the boundary between the main clause and the subordinate clause.

What is the function of dass here, and how is it different from das?

dass (with double s) is a subordinating conjunction meaning roughly “that” in sentences like:

  • I hope that you pass the exam.

It introduces a clause that functions as the object of hoffe.

das (with one s) can be:

  • a definite article: das Buch (the book)
  • a demonstrative pronoun: das ist gut (that is good)
  • a relative pronoun: das Buch, das ich lese (the book that I am reading)

So in this sentence it must be dass because it introduces a content clause (what I hope).

Why is the verb bestehst at the end of the sentence?

Because dass creates a subordinate clause, and in German finite verbs in subordinate clauses go to the end of the clause:

  • main clause: Du bestehst die Prüfung. (verb in 2nd position)
  • subordinate clause with dass: dass du die Prüfung bestehst (verb at the end)

So:

  • Ich hoffe, dass du die Prüfung bestehst.
    hoffe is the finite verb of the main clause → position 2
    bestehst is the finite verb of the subordinate clause → at the end
Why is it bestehst and not bestehen?

Because the verb is conjugated for the subject du:

Infinitive: bestehen (to pass, to succeed in, to consist)

Present tense:

  • ich bestehe
  • du bestehst
  • er/sie/es besteht
  • wir bestehen
  • ihr besteht
  • sie/Sie bestehen

In the sentence, the subject of the subordinate clause is du, so you must use du bestehst → bestehst.

What case is die Prüfung in, and why is it die?

die Prüfung is in the accusative case, because it is the direct object of the verb bestehen:

  • Wer? du (subject, nominative)
  • Was? die Prüfung (object, accusative)

The noun Prüfung is feminine:

  • nominative singular: die Prüfung
  • accusative singular: die Prüfung

Since feminine die stays die in both nominative and accusative singular, it looks the same, but its function here is accusative object.

Can I leave out dass and just say Ich hoffe, du bestehst die Prüfung?

Yes, in everyday spoken German you’ll often hear:

  • Ich hoffe, du bestehst die Prüfung.

In this case the second part (du bestehst die Prüfung) has main-clause word order (verb in second position), not subordinate-clause order.

With dass, standard written German prefers:

  • Ich hoffe, dass du die Prüfung bestehst. (verb at the end)

Both are common and correct in modern German; the version with dass is slightly more formal and clearly shows the subordination.

Why is hoffe in second position in Ich hoffe, dass …?

In a main clause, German normally puts the finite verb in position 2 (the V2 rule):

  1. Ich (position 1)
  2. hoffe (verb in position 2)
  3. the rest , dass du die Prüfung bestehst.

Even if you start with something else, the finite verb should still be in second position in a main clause:

  • Heute hoffe ich, dass du die Prüfung bestehst.
  • Dass du die Prüfung bestehst, hoffe ich. (here the dass-clause takes position 1, so hoffe must move to 2)
What’s the difference between Ich hoffe, dass du die Prüfung bestehst. and Hoffentlich bestehst du die Prüfung.?

Both express hope, but:

  • Ich hoffe, dass du die Prüfung bestehst.

    • more explicit, personal: I hope that you pass the exam.
    • uses the verb hoffen
      • clause.

  • Hoffentlich bestehst du die Prüfung.

    • literally: Hopefully you pass the exam.
    • Hoffentlich is an adverb expressing the speaker’s hope.
    • a bit shorter, slightly more colloquial, more like an aside or wish.

Meaning is very close; context and style decide which sounds better.

How would this sentence look with formal Sie instead of du?

For formal address (Sie) to one person (or more), you change the pronoun and the verb form:

  • Ich hoffe, dass Sie die Prüfung bestehen.

Notes:

  • Sie (formal you) always takes the 3rd person plural verb form (bestehen).
  • The noun phrase die Prüfung stays the same.
Is Prüfung bestehen a fixed expression, and are there alternatives?

Yes, eine Prüfung bestehen is a very common collocation meaning “to pass an exam”.

Examples:

  • Er hat die Prüfung bestanden. – He passed the exam.
  • Wie viele Leute haben die Prüfung bestanden?

Close alternatives:

  • eine Prüfung schaffen – also “to pass an exam”, slightly more colloquial.
    • Ich hoffe, dass du die Prüfung schaffst.

But bestehen is the standard, neutral choice in school/university contexts.

Can du be capitalized as Du here?

Traditionally, in letters and personal messages, Du was often capitalized as a form of politeness:

  • Ich hoffe, dass Du die Prüfung bestehst.

Current official rules (after the 2006 reform) say:

  • du may be capitalized in letters, emails, etc., but it’s not required.
  • In most modern texts (especially outside personal letters), you’ll see du in lowercase.

So in a neutral context, Ich hoffe, dass du die Prüfung bestehst. is standard.

How does the sentence change if I start with the dass-clause?

You can front the dass-clause for emphasis:

  • Dass du die Prüfung bestehst, hoffe ich.

Changes:

  • The dass-clause now stands in position 1 of the overall sentence.
  • The main-clause verb hoffe must still be in position 2, so it comes right after the comma:
    • position 1: Dass du die Prüfung bestehst
    • position 2: hoffe
    • then the subject of the main clause: ich

Meaning stays the same; the focus slightly shifts onto the fact that you pass the exam.