Breakdown of Мы полагаем, что договор будет готов завтра.
мы
we
быть
to be
завтра
tomorrow
договор
contract / treaty
готов
ready (short form)
полагать
to suppose, to believe
Questions & Answers about Мы полагаем, что договор будет готов завтра.
Why don't we use a pointer phrase like о том before что here?
The verb полагать (to suppose/believe) takes a direct object, meaning it doesn't need a preposition to attach to a noun. Because there is no preposition, you don't need a pointer word like то before the что clause. You simply connect them directly.
Why is договор in the nominative case? Doesn't it follow the verb полагаем?
The word что (that) starts a brand new subordinate clause. Inside this new mini-sentence, договор is the subject acting with the verb будет (the contract will be), so it takes the nominative case, completely unaffected by the verb in the first half of the sentence.
Why is the word for ready готов instead of готовый?
готов is a short-form adjective. Russian frequently uses short forms when an adjective is the predicate (describing what the subject is or will be) rather than modifying a noun directly. Because it describes how the contract will be (будет готов), the short form is preferred here. You would use the long form готовый to say something like 'a ready contract' (готовый договор).
Could I just use думаем instead of полагаем here?
Yes, you could say Мы думаем, что... (We think that...). The verb полагать means to suppose or to assume, which sounds a bit more formal and professional. Since this sentence is about a business contract (договор), the formal tone of полагаем fits perfectly.
Learn Мы полагаем, что договор будет готов завтра and more in Russian
All course content and exercises are completely free — no paywalls, no trial periods, no signup needed.
- ✓ Practice with interactive exercises
- ✓ Track your progress with spaced repetition
- ✓Learn at your own pace — completely free