so that / so as to

so that / so as to means “So that and so as to both introduce purpose — the reason for doing something.”. So that + a clause (often with can/could/will/would) gives the purpose of an action: I saved money so that I could travel. Formation: so that + clause (can/could) · so as (not) to + base verb

So that and so as to both introduce purpose — the reason for doing something.

B1

Formation

so that + clause (can/could) · so as (not) to + base verb

Explanation

So that + a clause (often with can/could/will/would) gives the purpose of an action: I saved money so that I could travel. So as to + a base verb is a more formal, one-subject alternative to 'in order to': He left early so as to avoid traffic. The negative is so as not to: She whispered so as not to wake the baby. So that is more common in speech, and so as to sounds formal.

Examples

I spoke slowly so that everyone could understand me.
She left home early so as to catch the first train.

Note

So that needs a full clause with its own subject and verb; so as to must be followed by a base verb and normally shares the main subject.

FAQ

so that / so as to — what does it mean and how is it used?

So that and so as to both introduce purpose — the reason for doing something.. So that + a clause (often with can/could/will/would) gives the purpose of an action: I saved money so that I could travel. So as to + a base verb is a more formal, one-subject alternative to 'in order to': He left early so as to avoid traffic. The negative is so as not to: She whispered so as not to wake the baby. So that is more common in speech, and so as to sounds formal.

so that / so as to — how do you form it?

so that + clause (can/could) · so as (not) to + base verb

so that / so as to — any usage notes?

So that needs a full clause with its own subject and verb; so as to must be followed by a base verb and normally shares the main subject.

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