PURPOSE CLAUSES

Purpose clauses express the reason why somebody did something. In more precise, formal
English they are often introduced by a two word subordinator: so as or in order.

A) When the subject of the main clause is the same as the subject of the purpose clause

Affirmative sentences

To + infinitive

In order to + infinitive

So as to + infinitive

Nike and Adidas spend great amounts of money to advertise

their trainers.
Nike and Adidas spend great amounts of money in order to
advertise their trainers.
Nike and Adidas spend great amounts of money so as to
advertise their trainers.

Negative sentences

In order not to + infinitive

You should put on a coat in order not to get a cold.

So as not to + infinitive

You should put on a coat so as not to get a cold.

B) When the subject of the main clause is different from the subject of the purpose clause

So that + subject + can / will

(It refers to the present or future)

Companies spend great amounts of money

on advertising their products so that we will
buy them.

So that + subject + could / would

(it refers to the past)

Companies spend great amounts of money

on advertising their products so that we
would buy them.

You can use in order that and so that when the subject is the
same, but you have to use the subject again.
In order to and so as to are more often used in formal writing
than in speech or informal writing.
A clause beginning so as to is often located at the end of the
sentence

A) Join the sentences using the words given:

Mark went to the shoe shop. He wanted to buy a pair of trainers. (to)
__________________________________________________________________
His brother went with him. He helped him to choose the trainers. (in order to)

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Alan put on a raincoat. He didnt want to get wet. (in order not to)

__________________________________________________________________
The two brothers are saving money. They want to buy a new computer. (so that)

Mr. Smith went to the bank. He wanted to ask for a loan. ( in order to)
__________________________________________________________________
She sends me e-mails. She tells me her news. (to)
__________________________________________________________________
We went to the library. We wanted to borrow some books (in order to)
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They didnt spend all their money. They didnt want to be broke ( in order not to )
__________________________________________________________________
Leave the door open. I want to listen to the radio. ( so that)
__________________________________________________________________
I left her a message. I wanted her to call me back ( so that)
__________________________________________________________________

 Mark went to the shoe shop to buy a pair of trainers.

His brother went with him in order to help him to choose the trainers.
Alan put on a raincoat in order not to get wet.
The two brothers are saving money so that they can buy a new computer.
Mr. Smith went to the bank in order to ask for a loan.
She sends me e-mails to tell me her news.
We went to the library in order to borrow some books.
They didnt spend all their money in order not to be broke.
Leave the door open so that I can listen to the radio.
I left her a message so that she could to call me back.