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.
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. |
Easy to confuse with
Close enough to be mixed up with this one. Knowing the difference is most of knowing either.
- I came to helpA2Say why you did something in three words
- so…that / such…thatB2Say something was so extreme it caused a result
Questions people ask
- What is the so that / in order to used for?
- 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.
- How do you form the so that / in order to?
- so that + clause · in order to / so as to + verb.
- What is the most common mistake with the 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.
CoCap turns this page into practice: Hindi sentence in, English sentence out, corrected one thing at a time. Free, no card.
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