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Connectors · CEFR B1 · Independent

so that / in order to — English conjunctions

So that takes a whole clause, usually with can or will inside it. In order to takes a plain verb.

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Try so that / in order to

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See the reference sentence

I left early so that I could catch the bus.

so that + clause · in order to / so as to + verb

Read the examples as text

I left early so that I could catch the bus.
"So that" needs a subject and a verb after it.

The shape

so that + clause · in order to / so as to + verb

Say what you did something FOR.

In Hindi

so that के बाद पूरा वाक्य आता है, in order to के बाद सादी क्रिया।

CoCap explains every structure in both languages, because a rule you understand in Hindi is a rule you can use in English.

The mistake to fix first

The sentence Indian-English speakers actually produce, and the reason it is wrong.

Commonly said	Correct English
I left early so that to catch the bus.	I left early so that I could catch the bus. "So that" needs a subject and a verb after it.

Commonly said

Correct English

I left early so that to catch the bus.

I left early so that I could catch the bus.

"So that" needs a subject and a verb after it.

Easy to confuse with

Close enough to be mixed up with this one. Knowing the difference is most of knowing either.

Questions people ask

How do I use so that / in order to?: So that takes a whole clause, usually with can or will inside it. In order to takes a plain verb. In practice: say what you did something for.
What is the pattern for so that / in order to?: so that + clause · in order to / so as to + verb.
Which mistake should I avoid with so that / in order to?: Saying “I left early so that to catch the bus.” instead of “I left early so that I could catch the bus.”. "So that" needs a subject and a verb after it.

Where so that / in order to fits

Where this structure sits in the ladder, and what surrounds it.

so that / in order to is a CEFR B1 structure — the independent band — and it belongs to connectors. CoCap’s syllabus files every structure this way so you can learn in order instead of jumping between whatever a search happened to return.

Reading it is not the same as saying it.

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Commonly said	Correct English
I left early so that to catch the bus.	I left early so that I could catch the bus. "So that" needs a subject and a verb after it.

Commonly said

Correct English

I left early so that to catch the bus.

I left early so that I could catch the bus.

"So that" needs a subject and a verb after it.