3月10日号：Expressing Purpose (3) - so that

Today, let’s look at another way we can express purpose using so that.

To show that one action makes another possible, we say so that + subject + can / could / will be able to / would + verb.

◆ I’m studying English so that I can / will be able to work in America in the future.

◆ He joined a gym so that he could get more exercise.

◆ She bought a guidebook so that she would know where to go sightseeing.

It is usually better to use so that when the subjects are different.

◆ Mark’s parents lent him some money so that he could pay his rent this month.

◆ We put nets over the garbage so that crows won’t be able to tear open the garbage bags.

◆ My wife woke me up early so that I could take out the trash.

To show that an action will prevent something from happening, we can use so that + subject + don’t / won’t / wouldn’t + verb.

◆ Please write this down so that you don’t / won’t forget.

◆ I left home early so that I wouldn’t be late for my appointment.

In casual conversation, native speakers often say so instead of so that.

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