64 Purpose - Main expressions

Expressions of Purpose links two clauses expressing purpose and reason.

The Purpose Clause can be expressed through two kinds of structures that differ in the order of words but not in the meaning:
1st clause + purpose expression + 2nd clause;
Purpose expression+ 1st clause + (,) + 2nd clause.

The main Expressions of Purpose are:

1. To;
2. In order to;
3. So that;
4. So as to, etc.

While “so that” and “so as to” can be placed between two clauses, “to” and “in order to” can be used both between two clauses or at the beginning of the clauses.

1. To
   • I am going to Africa to go on safari.
   • He is going to take lessons to learn how to ride a bike.
   • They went to the beach to sunbath.
2. In order to
   • I am learning to drive in order to be more independent.
   • She goes to the platform in order to board the train.
   • We had to stop in order to avoid an accident.
3. So that
   • Let’s make plans together so that we can travel as a family.
   • She woke up early so that she could watch the sunrise while paragliding.
   • They left earlier so that they boarded the plane on time.
4. So as to
   • I bought a tent so as to go camping.
   • He closed his computer so as to take a break.
   • So as not to be late, we shouldn’t stop!

These clauses introduces the purpose of the sentence. In this way we can understand the reason of the other sentence.

We use Expressions of Purpose to express the reason why something exists, is done or used. A sentence containing these expressions is usually composed of two clauses linked by the Expressions of Purpose. The main Expressions of Purpose are to, in order to, so that, so as to, etc.

We can make sentences which contain Expressions of Purpose in two ways which differ in the order of words but not in meaning:

• 1st clause + purpose expression + 2nd clause (e.g. I have to study in order to be successful.);
• Purpose expression+ 1st clause + comma (,) + 2nd clause (e.g. To become rich, my dad worked too hard.).

For example:
— “I have to study in order to be successful.” = I need to study because I want to be successful.
— “To become rich, my dad worked too hard.” = The reason my dad worked hard was that he wanted to be rich.

Let’s revise this content within the [Form] section. Take a look at the [Example] section that shows its use within a context.