Conjunctions of Purpose

Conjunctions of Purpose
Learn this!
We use the following conjunctions to talk about purposes or

goals. So and so that are more common than so as and in
order that. So as is rather informal. In order that is more
formal than the others. They are usually followed by a modal
such as can or will.
action conj. purpose
so
I asked
so that I could see the
him to
so as screen better.
move
in order that
We don’t usually put the subordinating clause first. When we

do, it is more formal.
conj. purpose action
So I could see
I asked him
So that the screen
to move.
In order that better,
We can also use to-infinitive after so as and in order.

Sometimes, so as and in order are also omitted.
I work hard in order to be successful.

I work hard so as to be successful.
I work hard to be successful.
However, in negatives, we cannot leave out so as and in order.
I arrived early in order not to anger my boss.

I arrived early so as not to anger my boss.
NOT I arrived early not to anger my boss.
When the purpose of the subordinating clause is aimed for

another person (not the subject of the main clause), we use in
order for sb + to-infinitive.
She put the knife on a high shelf in order for her son not to
reach it.
Practice!
Part 1 Fill in the blanks with the appropriate conjunctions
of purposes.
(in order/so as) to pass my

1 I'm studying very hard at the moment ....................................
exams next month.
(in order/so as) to help with my vocabulary.
2 I bought a dictionary .....................................
3 I went to bed early ........................................... I wouldn't be tired in
the morning. so that/in order that
4 Some people do not eat before exercises ......................................... feel
nauseated.
in order/so as not to
Part 1 Fill in the blanks with the appropriate conjunctions
of purposes.
(in order/so as) to

5 Do exercise regularly ...................................... have excellent health
and mental well-being.
so that/in order that

6 I waited for an hour .......................................... I could meet her.
in order/so as to
7 They took the taxi .......................................... waste time.
so that/in order that

8 I'm going to Australia ........................................... I could be more
exposed to English.
Part 2 Join the two sentences using conjunctions of
purposes or of contrast.
1 I have set the alarm clock for five o’clock. I don’t want to be late
tomorrow.
→ I have set the alarm clock for five o’clock
so as/in order not to be late tomorrow.
so that/in order that I won’t be late tomorrow.
2 Make sure that your bags are tagged. You can identify them later.
→
Make sure that your bags are tagged so that you can identify
them later.
3 Jackson learns Russian. He aims to work in Russia.
→
Jackson learns Russian (in order/so as) to work in Russia.
4 Bobby is saving money. He wants to go on a trip around the world.

→
Bobby is saving money in order/so as to go on a trip
5 I around
think I the
haveworld.
to stay home tomorrow. I’m having a bad fever.
→
I’m having a bad fever so I think I have to stay home
tomorrow.
6 My mother always gives me invaluable advice. I hardly ever listen

to her.
→ Although my mother always gives me invaluable advice, I
hardly ever listen to her.
7 There was so much traffic on Main Street. I managed to get to the
company in time.
→ Although there was so much traffic on Main Street, I
managed to get to the company in time.
8 He went to the cinema to see a comedy. He cried during the film.

→
Although he went to the cinema to see a comedy, he cried
during the film.
9 Despite not getting very good reviews, the book sold really well.
→ Even though
the book did not get very good reviews, it
sold really well.
10 We stayed at a B&B so as not to spend too much money on

accommodation.
→ So that we wouldn’t spend too much money on accommodation,
we stayed at a B&B
11 Despite earning a fortune, she drives a very old car.
→ Although she earns a fortune, she drives a very old car.
12 Everyone enjoyed the film, even though the ending was sad.
→ In spite of the sad ending, everyone enjoyed the film.
13 The plane managed to land despite the terrible weather conditions.

→ Though
the weather conditions were terrible, the
plane managed to land.
14 I told her I enjoyed the meal she had cooked me so that I wouldn’t
offend her.
→ So as not to offend her, I told her I enjoyed the meal she had
cooked me.
15 The police closed the roads so as to allow the president’s car through
safely.
→ In order that the police could allow the president’s car
through safely, they closed the roads.

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Conjunctions of Purpose

We use the following conjunctions to talk about purposes or

action conj. purpose

We don’t usually put the subordinating clause first. When we

conj. purpose action

We can also use to-infinitive after so as and in order.

I work hard in order to be successful.

However, in negatives, we cannot leave out so as and in order.

I arrived early in order not to anger my boss.

When the purpose of the subordinating clause is aimed for

(in order/so as) to pass my

(in order/so as) to

so that/in order that

so that/in order that

4 Bobby is saving money. He wants to go on a trip around the world.

6 My mother always gives me invaluable advice. I hardly ever listen

8 He went to the cinema to see a comedy. He cried during the film.

10 We stayed at a B&B so as not to spend too much money on

13 The plane managed to land despite the terrible weather conditions.

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