Complex Sentences with the Conjunction ЧТОБЫ
Сложноподчинённые предложения с союзом ЧТОБЫ
The conjunction чтобы is generally used in subordinate clauses of purpose.
They answer the questions: зачем? ‘why?’ для чего? ‘what for?’ с какой целью? ‘with what purpose?’
The predicate of a subordinate clause of purpose is either an infinitive or a past tense verb.
If the predicates of both the subordinate and principal clauses refer to the same agent, the subject of the subordinate clause is not expressed. In such a case, the predicate of the subordinate clause is an infinitive.
If a subordinate clause has a different subject, the predicate is invariably in the past tense, irrespective of the time of the actions of the principal and subordinate clauses. If the subordinate clause is an impersonal one, its predicate also takes the past tense.
A subordinate clause of purpose introduced by the conjunction чтобы may either precede or follow the principal clause.
| чтобы + Infinitive | чтобы + Past Tense |
|
Я пришёл, чтобы сообщить вам об этом. (Я пришёл. Я сообщу.) |
Я пришёл, чтобы вы рассказали мне об этом. (Я пришёл. Вы расскажете.) |
|
I came to inform you about it. |
I came so that you might tell me about it. |