Learn Hardcore Portuguese (Portugal): Tu estudas muito para que passes no exame. - You study a lot so that you pass the exam.

“Para que” introduces a purpose clause equivalent to “so that” or “in order that” in English. In Portuguese, this construction requires the subjunctive mood in the subordinate clause because it expresses an intended, hoped-for outcome rather than a fact. That’s why “pases” (the subjunctive form of “passar”) is used instead of the regular present indicative.

What is the role of “pases” in this sentence, and why isn’t it in the same indicative form as “estudas”?

Even though the main clause “Tu estudas muito” uses the present indicative, the subordinate clause introduced by “para que” must use a verb in the subjunctive mood to indicate purpose and uncertainty. “Pases” is the second person singular present subjunctive form of “passar”, signaling that passing the exam is a desired but not guaranteed outcome.

Why is the pronoun “tu” used in this sentence, and what does it tell us about the context or tone?

The pronoun “tu” is the informal form of “you” in Portuguese. Its use indicates a familiar or informal context, which is common in European Portuguese when addressing someone directly in a casual manner. The accompanying verb form “estudas” is the correct conjugation for “tu” in the present tense.

Could this sentence be written using an infinitive construction, such as “para passar no exame”, and what would be the difference?

Yes, one could say “Tu estudas muito para passar no exame.” The difference lies in nuance: using the infinitive construction is grammatically acceptable when the subject of both clauses is the same, and it gives a shorter, more neutral expression of purpose. However, the form “para que passes no exame” with the subjunctive emphasizes the intention behind studying and aligns with the more formal, precise style often preferred in European Portuguese.