Have you found an easy ways to learn Russian language? You can check other best ways to learn Russian online here. Well, in the previous post we learn about Imperative and subjunctive mood Russian verbs. Now, let’s learn about one of the conjunction ‘чтобы’. This conjunction is used in subjunctive or conditional mood. Чтобы is often used to answer questions зачем? (why?), для чего? (what for?), с какой целью? (for what purpose?). Details about the function of чтобы as you can see below.
1. Чтобы is used to express wish or something you want. The sentence is always in the past tense.
For Example:
- Я хочу, чтобы ты был здесь.
(Ya khochu, chtoby ty byl zdes’)
I want you here. - Она хочет, чтобы хорошо сдала экзамен.
(Ona khochet chtoby khorosho sdala ekzamen)
She wants to pass the exam well.
2. Чтобы is used for something that we are still not sure about. It’s follow by negative –Не + verb.
For Example:
- Я не заметила, чтобы он пришел раньше.
(Ya ne zametila, chtoby on prishel ran’she)
I did not notice that he came earlier. - Они не думают, чтобы она могла это сделать.
(Oni ne dumayut, chtoby ona mogla eto sdelat’)
They do not think that she could do it. - Ирина никогда не слышала чтобы ты пел.
(Irina nikogda ne slyshala chtoby on pel)
Irina never heard him sing.
The formula of чтобы
– Чтобы + infinitive
– Чтобы + past tense
3. When the subject in the sentence is same, just keep the second verb in the infinitive. If the subject is different, create a second verb in the past.
For Example:
- Я прошу, чтобы ты рассказал мне о нем.
(Ya proshu, chtoby ty mog rasskazal mne o nem)
I ask so that you might tell me about him. - Он пришел, чтобы дать вам цветок.
(On prishel, chtoby dat’ vam tsvetok)
He came to give you flower. - Я попросила его , чтобы он пришёл рано
(Ya poprosila yego , chtoby on prishol rano)
I asked him to come early - Я хочу, чтобы это сделать
(Ya khochu, chtoby eto sdelat’)
I want to do this
There are several verbs that are often followed by чтобы.
- Требовать – to demand
- Просить – to ask
- Приказывать – to order
- Советовать – to advise
- Предлагать – to suggest
- Хотеться – to want
- Нужно – necessary
- Необходимо – essential
- Желать – to wish
- Хотеть – to want
That is the explanation of the conjugation чтобы. In addition, you may already know common conjunctions such as и, а (and), но (but), and или. Let’s find out more about the classification and functions of conjuctions in Russian, and enrich your knowledge of Russian by learning its culture, like the tradition of new year in Russia, the Russian meal time etiquette, and the tradition wedding in Russia. Learning about Russian culture will not make you master the language, but it will make you understand and know how to socialize better with the Russians.