What Does "so that" Mean?
- Grammatical function: The expression "so that" primarily functions as a conjunction used to introduce clauses of purpose (why something is done) or consequence (the result of an action). In discourse, it can also act as a transitional marker to summarize a situation.
- Typical sentence position: It is most commonly found in the medial position, connecting a main clause to a subordinate clause. However, in modern journalism and speech, it frequently appears in the initial position to start a sentence that comments on a previous statement.
- Register: Neutral to formal. While common in everyday speech, it is a staple of academic and journalistic writing.
How to Use It
- Syntactic patterns: When expressing purpose, it is usually followed by a subject + modal verb (e.g., "so that he could win"). When used as a sentence-starter in a results-oriented context, it is often followed by a noun phrase + verb (e.g., "So that was the end").
- Punctuation rules: When used in the middle of a sentence to show purpose, a comma is usually unnecessary. If it starts a sentence as a transitional remark, a comma may follow "So" if the writer intends a pause (e.g., "So, that was decided"), though it is often omitted.
- Grammatical flexibility: It is highly flexible. It can be moved to the start of a sentence for emphasis or to summarize a preceding paragraph. It can be negated by adding "not" after the modal verb (e.g., "so that they would not fail").
- What sounds unnatural: Using "so that" without a following clause (subject and verb) sounds incomplete, except in very specific rhetorical questions.
Real-World Examples
These examples are sourced from so that on Ludwig.guru.
"So that was comforting." — nytimes.com
"So that should help." — nytimes.com
"So that means bombing." — independent.co.uk
"So that was that." — nytimes.com
"So that sucked." — newyorker.com
Similar Phrases and Alternatives
| Phrase |
Context |
| in order that |
Highly formal; strictly used for expressing purpose. |
| so as to |
Used before an infinitive verb; more concise for purpose. |
| therefore |
Stronger logical implication; typical of academic and argumentative writing. |
| with the aim of |
Focuses specifically on the intention behind an action. |
| consequently |
Formal; emphasizes the result or effect of a previous action. |
| as a result |
More formal; introduces a consequence in written and academic contexts. |
Common Mistakes
- Confusion with 'so' or 'such that': Learners often use "such that" when they mean "so that." "Such that" describes the nature of a thing, while "so that" explains the purpose or result of an action.
- Omitting Modal Verbs: In formal contexts, failing to follow so that with a modal verb like can, could, or may can make the sentence feel grammatically incomplete or overly informal.
- Punctuation Overkill: Placing a comma before "so that" in the middle of a purpose clause is a frequent error that disrupts the flow of the sentence.
Quick-Reference Summary
| Expression |
Function |
Register |
Typical Position |
| so that |
Purpose / Consequence |
Neutral to Formal |
Medial or Initial |
FAQs
Can so that be used at the beginning of a sentence?
Yes, so that can appear in the sentence-initial position, especially in journalism or spoken English to summarize a result or conclude a point. In these cases, it often acts as a discourse marker connecting the current sentence to the previous context.
What is the main difference between so that and in order that?
The phrase in order that is significantly more formal and is almost exclusively used for purpose clauses. While so that can express both purpose and result, in order that is reserved for high-level academic or legal writing to denote specific intent.
Why is it important to use modal verbs with so that?
When using so that to express a goal, learners often forget to include a modal verb like can, could, or may. Including these auxiliary verbs is essential in formal English to properly indicate the potentiality or intended outcome of the action described in the main clause.