Breakdown of Мы полагаем, что договор будет готов завтра.
мы
we
быть
to be
завтра
tomorrow
договор
contract / treaty
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?