so that vs

1

So that vs. to + infinitive: expressing purpose

English has various ways of expressing purpose. We can use so that or in order to; sometimes we

can simply use the verb infinitive.

Expressing purpose with a verb infinitive

We use to + infinitive when we want to show the purpose of an action. (purpose

= why we do something)

We can use to + infinitive when we want to

say why someone did something.

A: 'Why did you go to London?'

B: 'To see my sister.'

I'm going to the bank to get some money.

We can use to + infinitive when we want to

say why something exists.

The information desk is there to

help tourists.

The police were there to control the crowd.

We can use to + infinitive after adjectives

likeeasy, hard, difficult, impossible, etc.

It's hard to speak a foreign language

fluently.

It's impossible to walk on water.

She finds it easy to make new friends.

'to' vs. 'for' We use for before a noun: for dinner, for lunch, for a holiday.

We use to before a verb: to eat, to have a holiday.

I went to Madrid for learning to learn Spanish.

Compare: What would you like to eat? What would you like for breakfast?

Expressing purpose with 'so that'

We often use to + infinitive to express a purpose. (We say: I went to the bank to get some

money;I took a taxi to get there faster, etc.)

Sometimes we cannot use the infinitive - we must use so that.

We use so that to say

that one person does

something and as a result

someone else can

do or doesn’t have to

do something else.

We built a pool in the garden … so that the children

can (or could) swim in hot weather.

He bought his wife a car … so that she didn’t have to take the

bus so often.

They guarded the prisoner well … so that he

didn’t (or wouldn’t) escape.


that one action makes

I’ve bought a dictionary … so that I can learn more.

I bought a dictionary … so that I could learn more.

2

another action possible.

We use so that + can /

could / will be able to /

would have.

I’m going to buy a dictionary … so that I can (or will be able

to) learn more.

We arrived at the theatre early … so that we would have time

to eat before the show.


that one action will help

us to avoid having to do

something.

We use so that + don’t

have to / won’t have to /

wouldn’t have to.

I’m going shopping this evening … so that I

don’t (or won’t) have togo tomorrow.

I go shopping on Friday evenings … so that I don’t have to go

at the weekends.

I went shopping on Friday evening … so that I

didn’t (or wouldn't)have to go at the weekend.


that one action will

prevent another thing

happening.

We use so that + won’t /

wouldn’t / don’t.

I’ve brought an umbrella … so that I don’t (or won’t) get wet.

I’m going to bring an umbrella … so that I don’t (or won’t)

get wet.

I took an umbrella … so that I wouldn’t (or didn't) get wet.

I always carry an umbrella … so that I don’t get wet.

'So that' or 'so'? In informal speech, native English speakers often omit that and say

only so. However, this can be confusing for learners and we recommend you use so

that in its full form.

Alternatives to ‘so that’:

so that I could learn = in order to learn

so that I didn’t have to learn = in order not to have to learn

(‘in order that’ and ‘in order not’ are more formal than ‘so that’)

With stative verbs (know, have, seem, appear, etc.) we often use in order to or so as

to instead of 'so that'.

3

TIPS FOR WRITING A GOOD COMPOSITION

1st STEP - Analysis of the title

The title must be analyzed identifying the three main points :

Subject Focus Comment

2nd STEP - Brainstorming

Reflect on the focus identified by the title and take notes. Remember to cross out the banal and

superficial ideas.

3rd STEP - Organization

The organization changes according to the kind of essay you are going to write.

A. In the case of an essay by listing you can follow the scheme below :

Introducers : establish the topic

focus and the point of view

1st paragraph

Pre-topic sentence (background information)

2nd paragraph

Introductory sentence (In fact/For example X

has three main aspects / X should be 1, 2, 3…)

about how the work will be organized

4

Developers :

define the ideas anticipated in

the introduction, present

examples and details to support

them

Modulators :

sentences that consent a passage

from a point of view, context or

aspect to another

3rd, 4th, 5th

paragraphs

Point 1 (First, Firstly …)

Point 2 (Then / Secondly …)

Point 3 (The third argument / Thirdly …) *

Re

me

mb

er y

ou

are

no

t ex

pre

ssin

g yo

ur

op

inio

n in

th

is p

has

e

Terminators : paragraphs that

conclude the ideas in a logical and

psychologically satisfying way 6th paragraph

Personal opinion and conclusion :

Now you can express your opinion and make

reference to your personal experience *

* For the use of linkers, refer to the table below.

EXAMPLE

Develop the title given following the table below.

Qualities for Success in the 21st Century




Qualities for Success in the 21st Century Reasoning by list and

examples, expressing opinion



superficial ideas.


5

Personal qualities for success success in the 21st Century Reasoning by list and

examples, expressing opinion

Identification of qualities

Reasoning on flexibility (what it

is, why it is necessary)

Reasoning on honesty (what it


Reasoning on creativity (what it


Reasoning on perseverance

(what it is, why it is necessary)

Reasons for your choice,

results of reasoning


▪ what personal qualities will

be needed for success in the

21st century?

1st paragraph

Pre-topic sentence (background information)

▪ Possibly the four most

essential attributes are …

2nd paragraph

Introductory sentence (In fact/For example X has three main

aspects / X should be 1, 2, 3…) about how the work will be

organized (listing)

▪ flexibility (what it is, why it is

necessary, example)

▪ honesty (what it is, why it is

necessary, example)

▪ creativity (what it is, why it is

necessary, example)

▪ perseverance (what it is, why

it is necessary, example)

3rd, 4th, 5th , 6th

paragraphs

Point 1 (First, Firstly …)

Point 2 (Then / Secondly …)

Point 3 (The third argument / Thirdly …)

Point 4 (Finally…) *

Rem

em

ber

yo

u a

re n

ot

exp

ress

ing

you

r o

pin

ion

in t

his

ph

ase

▪ as today, so in the future 7th paragraph Personal opinion and conclusion :

Now you can express your opinion and make reference to

6

your personal experience *

* For the use of linkers, refer to the table below .

B. In the case of an essay by arguments for and against you can follow the scheme below :

Introducers : establish the topic

focus and the point of view

1st paragraph

Background information

2nd paragraph

How the work will be organized

Suitable verbs : going to, will, intend, look at, deal

with

Developers :

define the ideas anticipated in

the introduction, present

examples and details to support

them

Modulators : sentences that

consent a passage from a point of

view, context or aspect to

another

3rd paragraph Arguments for

Introductory sentence (There are three

points…)

Point 1 (Firstly …)

Point 2 (Secondly …)

Point 3 (The third argument …) *

Re

me

mb

er

you

are

no

t

exp

ress

ing

you

r o

pin

ion

in

this

ph

ase

4th paragraph

Arguments against

Introductory sentence (Three points / aspects

can be …)

Point 1 (First, …)

Point 2 (Then / secondly …)

Point 3 (Thirdly …) *

Terminators : paragraphs that

conclude the ideas in a logical and

5th paragraph Personal opinion and conclusion :


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psychologically satisfying way reference to your personal experience *

* For the use of linkers, refer to the table below.

EXAMPLE

Develop the title given following the table below.

Should smoking be allowed in public places?




Smoking Smoking in public places? Answering, expressing opinion



superficial ideas.


Smoking Smoking in public places? Answering, expressing

opinion

Present situation

Reasons for the present law

Reasons of the smokers

Reasons of the non-smokers

Effects on health

Psychological aspects

Social, economic and political

aspects etc.


8

people are more aware of the

dangers of smoking today

smokers are separated from

non-smokers in most countries

1st paragraph Background information

I’m going to examine … 2nd paragraph How the work will be organized

Suitable verbs : going to, will, intend, look at, deal

with

smoking not illegal

passive smoking causes cancer?

No proof

3rd paragraph Arguments for

Introductory sentence (There are three

points…)

Point 1 (Firstly …)

Point 2 (Secondly …)

Point 3 (The third argument …)

Re

me

mb

er

you

are

no

t

exp

ress

ing

you

r o

pin

ion

in

this

ph

ase

a dirty habit

cause of fires

non-smokers need a smoke-

free environment

4th paragraph

Arguments against

Introductory sentence (As regards the

arguments against, three points/aspects can be

…)

Point 1 (First, …)

Point 2 (Then / secondly …)

Point 3 (Thirdly …)*

separate smokers

special tax on cigarettes …

5th paragraph Personal opinion and conclusion :


reference to your personal experience

* For the use of linkers, refer to the table below :

Table of linkers :

To give order Firstly - at first - initially - and - then - immediately

afterwards - later on - some time - later - in conclusion

To indicate consequence As a result - as a consequence - consequently - thus - therefore

because of that

To indicate continuation And - moreover - besides - furthermore - in addition to

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To indicate simultaneity Meanwhile - while - in the meantime

To contrast or contradict Instead - yet - but - on the contrary - even if - even though -

however - on one hand / on the other hand - nevertheless - in spite

of …

To rephrase In other words - that is to say - this means that - i.e.(Latin : id

est) - to put it another way

To exemplify That is - namely - e.g. (Latin : exempli gratia = for example) -

for example - for instance - an example of this is -

To express opinion In my opinion - I am of the opinion that - as regards me - as far as I

am concerned - as concerns me - to my way of thinking - to my

mind - I personally believe that

To conclude Last - finally - to conclude - summing up - to wind/wrap/sum up

so that vs

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