Spanish · B1 · Family moment
Help You Grow in Spanish
Helping children build independent homework habits often requires setting the stage for success. In Spanish, when you perform an action to enable someone else to do something, we use purpose clauses. This guide focuses on using 'para que' followed by the subjunctive mood to express these supportive intentions.
What you'll learn
- Express purpose and intention using 'para que'.
- Apply the present subjunctive mood when the main and subordinate clauses have different subjects.
- Learn vocabulary related to study spaces and school tasks.
Spanish phrases for help you grow
Estoy despejando la mesa para que tengas espacio para tus deberes.
I am clearing the table so that you have space for your homework.
'Tengas' is the subjunctive form of 'tener' used after 'para que'.
Leeré las instrucciones en voz alta para que entiendas la tarea.
I will read the instructions aloud so that you understand the task.
'Entiendas' comes from the verb 'entender' (to understand).
Estoy apagando la radio para que puedas concentrarte.
I am turning off the radio so that you can concentrate.
'Puedas' is the subjunctive of 'poder' (to be able to).
Dejaré la lista de palabras aquí para que puedas revisar la ortografía.
I will leave the word list here so that you can check the spelling.
'Ortografía' refers to spelling or orthography.
Estoy moviendo la lámpara para que veas mejor la página.
I am moving the lamp so that you can see the page better.
'Veas' is the subjunctive form of 'ver' (to see).
Te enseñaré un ejemplo para que intentes la siguiente pregunta tú mismo.
I will show you one example so that you can try the next question yourself.
'Tú mismo' emphasizes 'yourself'.
Te doy un poco de tiempo para que encuentres tu propia respuesta.
I am giving you some time so that you can find your own answer.
'Encuentres' is the subjunctive of 'encontrar' (to find).
Muéstrame la parte difícil para que pueda ayudarte.
Show me the difficult part so that I can help you.
Here, 'pueda' is the subjunctive for 'yo' (I) because the speaker is the one helping.
Hear these phrases and practise them
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Try it free for 7 daysKey words
deberes / tarea
homework
'Deberes' is more common in Spain, while 'tarea' is common throughout Latin America.
despejar
to clear / to declutter
Used here for clearing a physical space like a table.
para que
so that / in order that
A conjunction that almost always requires the subjunctive mood when the subject changes.
en voz alta
out loud / aloud
Literally 'in high voice'.
Purpose Clauses with 'Para que'
In Spanish, to say 'I do X so that YOU do Y', we use the connector 'para que'. Because this expresses an intention or a goal rather than a guaranteed fact, the verb following 'para que' must be in the Subjunctive mood.
| Use | Form | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Tener (to have) | tengas | Traigo papel para que tengas donde escribir. |
| Ver (to see) | veas | Abro la cortina para que veas el dibujo. |
| Poder (to be able to) | puedas | Me quito para que puedas pasar. |
More examples
Te explico el truco para que lo hagas más rápido.
I'll explain the trick to you so that you do it faster.
Uses 'hagas' (subjunctive of hacer).
Pongo música suave para que estemos tranquilos.
I'm putting on soft music so that we are calm.
Uses 'estemos' (subjunctive of estar) for 'we'.