Ich hoffe, dass du die Prüfung bestehst.

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Breakdown of Ich hoffe, dass du die Prüfung bestehst.

• du: you
• dass: that
• hoffen: to hope
• die Prüfung: the exam
• die: the; (feminine, accusative)
• bestehen: to consist

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.

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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).

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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

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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)

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.