Result and purpose: de modo que, a fin de que

C1

Grammar path · Lesson 84 of 86 · Stage C1 · Advanced expression

At C1 you need connectors that are subtler than 'porque' or 'para que'. de modo que (like de manera que and de forma que) has two meanings depending on the mood that follows. With the indicative it states a result that happened: 'Llovió, de modo que nos quedamos'. With the subjunctive it states a purpose: 'Habla alto, de modo que te oigan'. a fin de que + subjuntivo always expresses purpose, like para que but more formal. When both clauses share the same subject, use a fin de + infinitivo. The most common mistake is choosing the wrong mood after de modo que, because the indicative and the subjunctive give two different meanings.

Practise this lesson · 10 sentences

Form

Resultoración + de modo que + indicativo
Estaba cansado, de modo que me acosté temprano.I was tired, so I went to bed early.
Purposeverbo + de modo que + subjuntivo
Explícalo bien, de modo que nadie se confunda.Explain it clearly so that nobody gets confused.
Formal purposeverbo + a fin de que + subjuntivo
La reunión se adelantó a fin de que todos pudieran asistir.The meeting was moved up so that everyone could attend.
Purpose, same subjectverbo + a fin de + infinitivo
Ahorramos dinero a fin de comprar una casa.We're saving money in order to buy a house.

When to use it

Stating the result of something

It is followed by the indicative and means 'so' or 'therefore'. A comma usually comes before the connector.

Llovió toda la tarde, de modo que cancelamos el partido.It rained all afternoon, so we canceled the game.
No había nadie en la oficina, de manera que me fui a casa.There was nobody in the office, so I went home.

Stating a purpose or the way to achieve something

It is followed by the subjunctive and means 'so that' or 'in such a way that'. It often follows a request or a description of how something is done.

Habla más despacio, de modo que todos te entiendan.Speak more slowly so that everyone understands you.
Dejé la llave debajo de la maceta, de manera que la encuentres al llegar.I left the key under the flowerpot so that you'll find it when you arrive.

Purpose in formal writing

A fin de que and a fin de are common in work emails, announcements and official texts. Use a fin de + infinitive when the subject is the same.

Les enviamos el contrato a fin de que lo revisen antes del lunes.We're sending them the contract so that they can review it before Monday.
Se tomarán medidas a fin de reducir el tráfico en el centro.Measures will be taken in order to reduce traffic in the city center.

Signal words

de modo quede manera quede forma quea fin de quea fin decon el fin de que

Don't confuse it with

Para que + subjunctive

Para que is the everyday way to express purpose; a fin de que means the same and also takes the subjunctive, but it is more formal and suits writing. De modo que + subjunctive stresses the way something is done to reach a goal, while de modo que + indicative expresses a result, which para que can never do.

Frequently asked questions

Does de modo que take the indicative or the subjunctive?

Both, with different meanings: the indicative states an actual result, the subjunctive states an intended purpose.

How is a fin de que different from para que?

The meaning is almost the same and both take the subjunctive. a fin de que is more formal and typical of work or official texts.

When do I use a fin de instead of a fin de que?

Use a fin de + infinitive when both clauses share the same subject: 'Estudio a fin de aprobar'. With different subjects, use a fin de que + subjunctive.

Are de modo que, de manera que and de forma que the same?

Yes, they are interchangeable and follow the same mood rules. de modo que is the most common in speech.

What does ¿De modo que...? mean at the start of a question?

It draws a conclusion or shows surprise, like 'so...?': '¿De modo que te vas mañana?'.

More in Sentences and connectors

Question words: qué, dónde, cuándo…A1Negation: no, nunca, nada, nadieA1Real conditions: si + presentB1Relative clauses: que, quien, dondeB1Reported speech: dice que…B1Linking words: pero, sin embargo, por esoB1Unreal conditions: si + imperfect subjunctiveB2Past unreal conditions: si hubiera…B2Reported speech in the past: dijo que…B2Relative clauses with prepositions: en el que, con quienB2Cause and concession: como, ya que, a pesar de queB2Sequence of tensesC1Other conditional forms: a no ser que, de + infinitive, con tal de queC1
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