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Do you remember the English [so that syntax]? [So that syntax] has the following three forms.
1. ～ so that ～
2. ～, so that ～
3. ～ so ～ that ～
You may be wondering if the so that syntax is also used natively, but it is often used in real English conversation. Because the so that syntax is a casual expression. Therefore, it is said to be an unsuitable expression for the business scene.
Here, 1 and 2 shown above are collectively referred to as [so that syntax] and 2 as [so ~ that ~ syntax], categorized by "what to represent", and the basic usage is explained with example sentences. .. Understand the differences and master the so that syntax!
Represents the purpose [so that syntax]
so that is one of the conjunctions that connect two sentences, phrases, and other elements. Conjunctions have the role of showing the relationship between the elements before and after they are connected. Typical examples are but, because, and, which are used when comparing sentences before and after or adding information.
First, let's look at the [so that syntax] that expresses the purpose.
[So that syntax] rule that expresses the purpose
In the so that syntax that expresses the purpose, it is a rule to put so and that next to each other and always put one of the auxiliary verbs can / will / may under that.
⇒ ~ so that + subject + auxiliary verb + verb ~
Match the auxiliary verb to the tense of the preamble of so that. Negative forms are also used, but in most cases the negative form of would (wouldn't = would not) is used. Also, that is optional.
Auxiliary verbs used: present tense → past tense (meaning)
can (possible) → could (to be able to)
will (future) → would ([future] to be)
may (guess) → might (because it may be)
I got a haircut so (that) I would look younger.
I got a haircut so (that) I wouldn't look older.
In both of the above two sentences, the preamble of so that is the past tense got, so the auxiliary verb in the latter sentence is would be in the affirmative sentence and wouldn't in the negative sentence. Also, the reason for using would is to do the preamble (cut the hair) for the purpose of making the future look like the postscript (looks younger / looks old). The following sentence expresses the purpose.
Postscript: [Future] I would look younger / I wouldn't look older
Preamble: I got a haircut
Purpose An example sentence that means "to do"
The so that syntax that expresses the purpose is translated as "to do (preamble) ~ do (preamble)" and "to do (preamble) ~ do (preamble)". Let's take a look at some more example sentences to deepen our understanding.
Let's go to the movie theater early so (that) we can get good seats. (Let's go to the movie theater early so (that) we can get good seats.)
The reason why can is used is because the preamble (let's go to the movie theater early) is done to make the purpose of the postscript (securing a good seat) "possible". Since the preamble is the present tense (go), the latter sentence is also the present tense (can).
I stepped aside so that she might come in. (I stepped aside because she might come in.)
The reason might is used is because it "guesses" that it will look like the postscript (she comes in) and does the preamble (sideways). Since the preamble is the past tense (stepped), the post-sentence is also the past tense (might).
He decided to stay at home so that he could watch the baseball game on TV. (He decided to stay at home to watch a baseball game on TV.)
The reason why could is used is because it does the preamble (decided to stay at home) to make the goal postscript (watching a baseball game at home) "possible". Since the preamble is the past tense (decided), the post-sentence is also the past tense (could).
Replacement of [so that syntax] that expresses the purpose
The so that syntax that expresses the purpose can be replaced with in order that or to infinitive (to + the original form of the verb). in order that is a formal expression of so that, and the degree of politeness is as low as "in order that → to infinitive → so that".
Let's replace the so that sentence shown above with in order that and to infinitive. in order that means "for the purpose of" and just replaces so that. The to infinitive means "to do", and after to is followed by the verb in the following sentence. The following three sentences have almost the same meaning.
⇒ ～ in order that + subject + auxiliary verb + verb～
⇒ ～ to + verb～
He decided to stay at home so that he could watch the baseball game on TV. (He decided to stay at home in order that he could.)
↓
He decided to stay at home in order that he could watch the baseball game on TV.He decided to stay at home to watch the baseball game on TV.
Represents the result [so that syntax]
Next, let's look at the usage of [so that syntax] that expresses a simple result.
[So that syntax] rules that represent the result
An important rule of the so that syntax that represents a result is to put a comma (,) before so that to indicate that it is a result. In the case of colloquialism, that is omitted.
Also, you don't need auxiliary verbs such as would or can in the sentences below so that, as in the so that syntax for purpose. The preamble is the cause and the post is the result.
She missed the train, so (that) she was late. (I missed the train, so I was late.)
I was exhausted, so (that) I went to bed earlier. (I was so tired that I went to bed earlier than usual.)
Result An example sentence that means "the result of ..."
The so that syntax that expresses the result is translated as "... (preamble) result-da (postscript)" and "... from (preamble) to ... (postscript)". It may be easier to understand if you think of it as "... (preamble), ... so ... was ... (postscript)". Let's look at some more example sentences.
Someone removed her brushes, so (that) she wasn't able to paint.
He overslept, so (that) he missed the train. (He overslept, so he missed the train.)
I dropped my phone into the water, so (that) I had to buy a new one. (I dropped my phone into the water, so I had to buy a new one.)
Represents the degree / result [so ~ that ~ syntax]
Next, let's look at the [so ~ that ~ syntax] where the word is placed between so and that. This syntax represents not only "degree/result" but also "mode". Here, we will explain the [so ~ that ~ syntax] that expresses the degree and result. Please note that it is different from the usage that expresses the purpose or simple result.
[So ～ that ～ syntax] rules that express the degree and result
When expressing the degree/result, it is basic to put an adjective or adverb between so and that. You don't have to put commas or auxiliary verbs. It is the latter sentence that expresses the degree and result.
He is so handsome that all girls fall in love with him.
adjective: handsome
The interviewer spoke English so fast that I couldn't understand anything. (The interviewer spoke English so fast that I couldn't understand anything.)
Adverb: fast
Degree An example sentence that means "...
[So ~ that ~ syntax], which expresses the degree, is translated as "~ na (postscript) ~ (preamble)". Let's look at an example sentence a little more.
When an adjective is placed
She wasn't so weak that she couldn't walk.
adjective: weak
I'm so busy that I can't take my dog for a walk.
Adjective: busy
When adverbs are placed
He turned so quickly that he cricked his neck.
Adverb: quickly
Her eyes sprang open so suddenly that he laughed.
Adverb: Suddenly
sprang open is the past tense of spring open and means "(doors, doors, etc.) open vigorously".
Result An example sentence that means "because it is very"
The [so ~ that ~ syntax] that represents the result is translated as "very ~ (preamble), so ~ (postscript)". It has a different meaning and word order than the simple result usage, and does not require commas. The preamble is the cause and the post is the result.
The road is so bumpy that it is impassable. (The road is so bumpy that it is impassable.)
bumpy is an adjective meaning "bumpy" and impassable is an adjective meaning "impossible".
The sea was so rough that the ship wasn't able to get into the harbor. (The sea was so rough that the ship could not enter the port.)
Replacement of [so ~ that ~ syntax]
The so ~ that ~ syntax that expresses the degree/result can be replaced with "enough to ~", "too ~ to", and "such ~ that", but note that the meaning and word order are slightly different.
Replace with enough to: If the postscript is affirmative
Remove so and that, put enough to after the adjective, and continue to the verb in the following sentence. enough to means "enough to do".
⇒ ~ adjective + enough to + verb ~
He is so tall that he can change the bulb without getting on a chair. (He is tall enough to change the bulb without getting on a chair.)
↓
He is tall enough to change the bulb without getting on a chair. (He is tall enough to change the light bulb without riding a chair.)
Replacement with too ~ to: When the latter sentence is negative
Instead of so and that, put an adjective between too and to, omit the subject of the following sentence, and follow to with the verb. It means "too much to do".
⇒ ~ too + adjective + to + verb ~
I'm so busy that I can't take my dog for a walk. ↓
(I'm too busy to take my dog for a walk.)
Replacement with such ~ that
If the subject is singular, so + adjective is changed to "such a + adjective + noun equivalent to the subject (singular)", and if it is plural, it is changed to "such + adjective + noun equivalent to the subject (plural)". Replace, that is followed by: It means "because it is a very noun."
⇒ ~ such a + adjective + noun (singular) + that ~
⇒ ~ such + adjective + noun (plural) + that ~
If the subject is singular
He is so tall that he can change the bulb without getting on a chair. ↓
He is such a tall person that he can change the bulb without getting on a chair. (He's so tall that he can change the light bulb without getting on a chair.)
When the subject is plural
Kittens are so cute that people want to have them. (They are such cute kittens that people want to have them.)
↓
(They are such cute kittens that people want to have them.)
Representing the mode [so ~ that ~ syntax]
Finally, let's look at the [so ~ that ~ syntax] that expresses the mode.
[So ~ that ~ syntax] rules that represent the mode
In the so ~ that ~ syntax that expresses the mode, put the past participle of the verb after so and continue after that. It is the latter sentence that expresses the mode.
⇒ ~ so + past participle + that ~
This article is so written that it misleads people.
past participle: written
An example sentence that means "to do"
The so ~ that ~ syntax that expresses the mode is translated as "to do (postscript) ~ (preamble)". Let's take a look at some more example sentences to deepen our understanding.
The world is so made that people prefer unequal societies.
past participle: made
This house is so designed that it will not collapse due to a shock of an earthquake.
past participle: designed
collapse means "collapse / collapse", and due to means "due to / by".
