Purpose and result: so as to and so that
In order to, so as not to, so that you can; so tired that, such a long day that, too hot to drink.
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Purpose says why someone does something: I left early so as to avoid the traffic. Result says what happened because of something: It was so cold that the lake froze. At A2 you used to and in order to for a reason, and at B1 so ... that and such ... that. This page puts them together and adds so as to, the negative forms and so that.
Purpose | Result |
|---|---|
to, in order to, so as to | so + adjective + that |
in order not to, so as not to | such (a) + noun + that |
so that + can, could, will, would | too + adjective + to |
To, in order to, so as to
All three say why. Plain to is the usual choice. In order to and so as to are more formal, and they make the idea of purpose clearer.
- I went to the bank to open an account.
- We left at six in order to avoid the traffic.
- Please arrive ten minutes early so as to get a good seat.
The negative: in order not to, so as not to
For a negative purpose, plain to is not usual: use in order not to or so as not to. Not goes before to.
- I wrote the date down so as not to forget it.
- We spoke quietly in order not to wake the children.
- Incorrect: We left early for not missing the train.
- Correct: We left early so as not to miss the train.For a negative purpose, use so as not to or in order not to + verb, not for + -ing.
So that + a clause
So that is followed by a full clause, often with can or will for the present and future, and could or would for the past. Use it when the subject changes, or when you need a modal. In speech, that is often left out.
- I'll leave the key under the mat so that you can get in.
- She spoke slowly so that everyone could understand.
- I set two alarms so that I wouldn't oversleep.
- Incorrect: I'm saving money so that to buy a car.
- Correct: I'm saving money to buy a car. / I'm saving money so that I can buy a car.So that needs a subject and a verb. To + verb has none.
Result: so ... that, such ... that
So goes with an adjective or an adverb, and such with a noun (with or without an adjective). A comes after such. That + a clause gives the result, and in speech that is often left out.
- The film was so boring that I fell asleep.
- He drove so fast that we arrived early.
- It was such a boring film that I fell asleep.
- They're such nice people that everyone likes them.
- Incorrect: It was so boring film that I fell asleep.
- Correct: It was such a boring film that I fell asleep.Before a noun, use such (a), not so.
With much, many, little, few, use so: There were so many people that we couldn't get in.
Too ... to and enough ... to
Too + adjective + to says that the result is impossible. Enough + to says that something is possible. Add for + person when the subject of the verb is different.
- The box was too heavy to lift.
- The coffee was too hot for me to drink.
- He isn't old enough to drive.
- Incorrect: The coffee was too hot to drink it.
- Correct: The coffee was too hot to drink.The coffee is already the object of drink, so there is no it at the end.
So that or so?
So that gives a purpose: what someone wants. So, usually after a comma, gives a result: what happened. In informal speech so alone can also mean so that, and the context shows which is meant.
- I took a taxi so that I wouldn't be late. (my purpose)
- I took a taxi, so I wasn't late. (the result)