Should I use 'so that' or 'in order to' when explaining a reason in my essay introduction?
I'm struggling with deciding whether to use 'so that' or 'in order to' when I want to explain a purpose in my writing. For example, I'm working on an essay introduction and I'm not sure which sounds better:
- I am studying English so that I can move to Canada.
- I am studying English in order to move to Canada.
Is there a difference in meaning, or is one more formal than the other? I want my writing to sound clear and a bit academic, but not too stiff. Any advice would be really helpful!
Context:
Writing for a college application essay; aiming for a neutral to formal style.
What to Know
| Question You Likely Still Have | Direct Answer | How To Apply It |
|---|---|---|
| What is the core rule for order explaining reason essay? | Use 'in order to' for a more formal, purpose-driven tone, especially in academic writing. | For a neutral-formal style in your college application, 'in order to' is slightly more academic and clear. |
| How do I apply order explaining reason essay in a sentence like mine? | For a neutral-formal style in your college application, 'in order to' is slightly more academic and clear. | When explaining purpose in your writing, the two patterns to focus on are: Subject + verb + so that + subject + can/will/may + verb Subject + verb + in order to + base verb Patter… |
| What mistakes should I avoid with order explaining reason essay? | When explaining purpose in your writing, the two patterns to focus on are: Subject + verb + so that + subject + can/will/may + verb Subject + verb + in order to + base verb Patter… | Pattern 2: 'in order to' + base verb focuses directly on the purpose of the action, in a concise way. |
3 Answers
When explaining purpose in your writing, the two patterns to focus on are:
- Subject + verb + so that + subject + can/will/may + verb
- Subject + verb + in order to + base verb
Pattern 1: 'so that' + subject + can/will emphasizes the potential ability or result of the action. Example:
- Maria attends extra classes so that she can improve her grades.
Pattern 2: 'in order to' + base verb focuses directly on the purpose of the action, in a concise way. Example:
- Maria attends extra classes in order to improve her grades.
Guided self-check:
- Use 'so that' when you want to highlight the person who receives the benefit or will have the ability (she can improve).
- Use 'in order to' for a more formal, purpose-driven tone, especially in academic writing.
Practice: Write a sentence describing why you are applying to your college (e.g., 'I am applying to university _____'). Try both patterns and see which matches your intended tone. For a neutral-formal style in your college application, 'in order to' is slightly more academic and clear.
'So that' and 'in order to' both express purpose, but they have subtle differences:
'So that' often introduces a result clause that usually includes a modal verb (like can, will, may). Example:
- Liam studies mathematics so that he will qualify for engineering school.
'In order to' is followed by the base verb and is more formal and concise, with no modal verb. Example:
- Liam studies mathematics in order to qualify for engineering school.
Advice: For an academic, slightly formal style, 'in order to' is usually preferred in introductions because it's direct and avoids extra wording.
Practice step: Take a sentence you wrote with 'so that' and rewrite it with 'in order to.' Notice if the meaning changes (hint: often, it stays the same but feels more formal).
It's great that you're thinking carefully about tone! Here's how you can self-correct and decide:
If you have two different subjects or want to stress the capability or opportunity, 'so that' is better.
- Example: Sarah volunteers at the library so that children can read more books. (The purpose is for 'children', not 'Sarah')
If the subject does the action for their own purpose, 'in order to' is more streamlined and formal.
- Example: Sarah volunteers at the library in order to gain experience. (Sarah is both the actor and beneficiary)
Corrective feedback: Look at your sentence. Does the subject who acts also receive the benefit? If so, prefer 'in order to' for a formal essay. If another subject benefits or you want to highlight ability/opportunity, use 'so that'.
Practice: Write one sentence each for: (a) a personal goal ('in order to'), (b) a helpful action for others ('so that'). Check which subject the purpose points to.
Want to answer this question? Log in or create an account.