Expressing purpose with "para que"
When you perform an action with a specific goal in mind for someone (or something) else, use the phrase para que (so that).
Because this intended outcome is just a goal—not yet a completed reality—para que triggers the subjunctive mood whenever the subject changes between the two halves of the sentence.
| I am paying the employee so that he installs the system today. | Le pago al empleado para que instale el sistema hoy. |
| The siren sounds so that the thief flees. | La sirena suena para que el ladrón huya. |
| I give you the password so that you activate the system. | Te doy la contraseña para que actives el sistema. |
Notice how the first verb is in the indicative (stating your factual action), while the verb following para que is in the present subjunctive (stating the intention).
To express a negative goal—doing something so that something else doesn't happen—simply place no directly before the subjunctive verb.
| The sensor activates the alarm so that the thief does not enter. | El sensor activa la alarma para que el ladrón no entre. |
| We hide the sensor so that the thief does not deactivate it. | Escondemos el sensor para que el ladrón no lo desactive. |
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