OLife'S
So that
Advanced Chunks – Category 9

Meaning

In order to express purpose; introduces a clause explaining the goal of the preceding action.

Primary Function

Expressing purpose with a clause

Communicative Purpose

To state the intended outcome of an action

Pattern

so that

Core Structure

so that

Função primária

Expressing purpose with a clause

Propósito comunicativo

To state the intended outcome of an action

Situações de gatilho

Giving reasons, explaining method, formal and informal contexts

Contextos

All domains; used in both professional and casual communication

Padrão

so that

Estrutura central

so that

Slots de substituição

modal verb (can, could, will, would); subject noun phrase; main verb

Colocados típicos

  • so that we can
  • so that you could
  • so that they will
  • so that he would

Substituições comuns

  • In order that (very formal)
  • simply ‘so’ for informal speech

Erros comuns

Omitting 'that' in formal writing; using an infinitive after 'so that' (e.g., *so that to go*); omitting the subject after 'so that', leading to ambiguity.

Similar / contraste

‘So as to + infinitive’, ‘In order to’

Interferências

Learners may drop the subject after ‘so that’ without realizing it changes meaning

Família do chunk

  • purpose clause frames

Nuance

‘So that’ is the most common connector used to express purpose, making it universally understood

Efeito pragmático

Provides a clear and straightforward way to indicate intention or outcome of an action

Dica de memória

so that

Nota

In formal writing, always include 'that'. Use modal verbs (can, could, will, would) in the subordinate clause to express possibility, ability, or future intention.

Upgrade path

He explained carefully so that no one would misunderstand.

Frequência: Very highFormulaicidade: Semi-fixedTipo de construção: Sentence framePrioridade de aquisição: Automatic productionPrioridade de output: BothTag de espaçamento: Immediate

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