Meaning & use
so that or so
Last updated
Meaning
phrasefixed phrase
used to talk about the difference between 'so that' and 'so' when expressing purpose or result
Grammar: This is a comparison phrase, not a single word. It is used in questions like 'Should I use so that or so?'
Patterns
- so that or so?
- use so that or so
In formal writing, use 'so that' to introduce a purpose: 'He left early so that he could catch the train.'
'So' alone can also show purpose in informal speech: 'He left early so he could catch the train.'
If you mean 'therefore', use 'so' alone: 'It was late, so we went home.'
Common combinations
- so that + clause
- She whispered so that no one else could hear.
- so + clause
- She whispered so no one else could hear.
- so that vs so
- Learners often ask about so that vs so in purpose clauses.
Commonly confused: so that or so or so?
so that or so vs so
'So' alone can mean 'therefore' or 'in order that'. 'So that' only means 'in order that' and is followed by a clause.
Practice
Which sentence correctly uses 'so that' to show purpose?
Choose one answer.
'So that' is followed by a clause with a modal verb like 'could' to show purpose. Option 0 uses past tense without a modal, which sounds like a result, not a purpose. Options 2 and 3 are grammatically incomplete.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “so that or so”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.