A past action may be intended to bring about another event.
The idea
After para que, a past main verb commonly leads to the imperfect subjunctive: durmiera or durmiese. The two endings are alternatives.
Examples
- Marta cerró la ventana para que el bebé durmiera tranquilo.Marta closed the window so that the baby could sleep peacefully.
- Dejamos un mapa para que los visitantes encontraran el museo.We left a map so that the visitors could find the museum.
- El chef explicó la receta para que su equipo pudiera prepararla.The chef explained the recipe so that the team could prepare it.
- La profesora hablaba despacio para que todos entendiesen las instrucciones.The teacher spoke slowly so that everyone could understand the instructions.
- Ana llevó una linterna para que sus amigos vieran el camino.Ana brought a torch so that her friends could see the path.
- El ayuntamiento plantó árboles para que la plaza tuviera sombra.The council planted trees so that the square would have shade.
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Watch out
Do not put an indicative form such as dormía after para que to express purpose. When the subject is the same, para plus an infinitive is usually preferred.
Try it yourself
Complete with the imperfect subjunctive of llegar: Salimos temprano para que ellos ___ a tiempo.
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llegaran / llegasen
Llegaran or llegasen agrees with the people who were meant to arrive.
Complete with the imperfect subjunctive of estar: Abrí la puerta para que el gato ___ cómodo.
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estuviera / estuviese
Estuviera or estuviese describes the intended comfort of the cat.
Complete with the imperfect subjunctive of poder: Guardaron silencio para que yo ___ concentrarme.
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pudiera / pudiese
Pudiera or pudiese refers to my intended ability to concentrate.
Practice round
Answer questions, then rebuild Spanish sentences where available. We keep your score.
Complete with the imperfect subjunctive of llegar: Salimos temprano para que ellos ___ a tiempo.
Complete with the imperfect subjunctive of estar: Abrí la puerta para que el gato ___ cómodo.
Complete with the imperfect subjunctive of poder: Guardaron silencio para que yo ___ concentrarme.
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Describe something you did so that someone else could do something.