Level 08 – Step 10 : Purpose Expressions (He studies in order to pass. She speaks slowly so that we understand.)
/Level 08 – Step 10 : Purpose Expressions (He studies in order to pass. She speaks slowly so that we understand.)
🚪 Let’s Begin
/🚪 Let’s Begin
🦉Professor Owl: Today we will learn different ways to say why we do something — the purpose expressions.
/🦉Professor Owl: Today we will learn different ways to say why we do something — the purpose expressions.
🐧Igupen: Like “to” and “so that”? I see them but they look almost the same.
/🐧Igupen: Like “to” and “so that”? I see them but they look almost the same.
🦉Professor Owl: Ho ho.
/🦉Professor Owl: Ho ho.
They all show purpose, but we choose forms depending on the subject and the meaning we want to make clear.
/They all show purpose, but we choose forms depending on the subject and the meaning we want to make clear.
🐧Igupen: I want to use them correctly when the subject is the same or different.
/🐧Igupen: I want to use them correctly when the subject is the same or different.
🦉Professor Owl: Good.
/🦉Professor Owl: Good.
Listen and practice the small rules.
/Listen and practice the small rules.
📚 Lesson
/📚 Lesson
What are purpose expressions?
/What are purpose expressions?
Purpose expressions tell us “why” someone does something.
/Purpose expressions tell us “why” someone does something.
Common forms are: to, in order to, so as to, so that, in order that.
/Common forms are: to, in order to, so as to, so that, in order that.
Use short infinitives (to / in order to / so as to) when the subject of the main verb and the purpose is the same.
/Use short infinitives (to / in order to / so as to) when the subject of the main verb and the purpose is the same.
He studies to pass.
/He studies to pass.
He studies in order to pass.
/He studies in order to pass.
He studies so as to pass.
/He studies so as to pass.
Use purpose clauses with a subject (so that / in order that + subject + verb) when the subject can be different or you want to show result or ability.
/Use purpose clauses with a subject (so that / in order that + subject + verb) when the subject can be different or you want to show result or ability.
She speaks slowly so that we can understand.
/She speaks slowly so that we can understand.
She speaks slowly in order that we can understand.
/She speaks slowly in order that we can understand.
Forms and simple meanings
/Forms and simple meanings
to + base verb — short and common: I came early to talk with you.
/to + base verb — short and common: I came early to talk with you.
in order to + base verb — a bit more formal or clear: I came early in order to talk with you.
/in order to + base verb — a bit more formal or clear: I came early in order to talk with you.
so as to + base verb — formal and less common in speech, similar to in order to: I left quietly so as to not wake them.
/so as to + base verb — formal and less common in speech, similar to in order to: I left quietly so as to not wake them.
so that + subject + modal/verb — shows purpose and often result or ability: Turn the lights on so that we can see.
/so that + subject + modal/verb — shows purpose and often result or ability: Turn the lights on so that we can see.
in order that + subject + modal/verb — formal alternative to so that: She spoke slowly in order that the students might follow.
/in order that + subject + modal/verb — formal alternative to so that: She spoke slowly in order that the students might follow.
When to choose which form
/When to choose which form
Same subject for both actions → use infinitive forms (to / in order to / so as to).
/Same subject for both actions → use infinitive forms (to / in order to / so as to).
Correct: He stayed late to finish his work.
/Correct: He stayed late to finish his work.
Incorrect: He stayed late so that finish his work.
/Incorrect: He stayed late so that finish his work.
Different subject or need to show result/ability → use so that / in order that with a subject and verb.
/Different subject or need to show result/ability → use so that / in order that with a subject and verb.
Correct: She whispered so that he wouldn’t wake the baby.
/Correct: She whispered so that he wouldn’t wake the baby.
Correct: The coach raised his voice so that all the players could hear.
/Correct: The coach raised his voice so that all the players could hear.
Politeness and negatives
/Politeness and negatives
Use so as to + not or in order not to for formal negative purpose: I moved quietly so as not to wake them.
/Use so as to + not or in order not to for formal negative purpose: I moved quietly so as not to wake them.
For spoken, short forms to + not are common: I left early to avoid the crowd.
/For spoken, short forms to + not are common: I left early to avoid the crowd.
🦉Professor Owl’s one-point tip
/🦉Professor Owl’s one-point tip
Ask: “Is the subject the same?”
/Ask: “Is the subject the same?”
If yes, use to / in order to / so as to + verb.
/If yes, use to / in order to / so as to + verb.
If no, use so that / in order that + subject + verb (often with can/could/will/would).
/If no, use so that / in order that + subject + verb (often with can/could/will/would).
Quick checks inside the lesson
/Quick checks inside the lesson
Same subject: She trains every day to get stronger.
/Same subject: She trains every day to get stronger.
Different subject / result: She trains every day so that she can win the race.
/Different subject / result: She trains every day so that she can win the race.
Negative purpose: He closed the door quietly so as not to wake the baby.
/Negative purpose: He closed the door quietly so as not to wake the baby.
🌼 Sample Sentences
/🌼 Sample Sentences
No.01 He studies in order to pass.
/No.01 He studies in order to pass.
No.02 She speaks slowly so that we understand.
/No.02 She speaks slowly so that we understand.
No.03 I woke up early to catch the bus.
/No.03 I woke up early to catch the bus.
No.04 They practiced hard so that they could win.
/No.04 They practiced hard so that they could win.
No.05 She left quietly so as not to disturb anyone.
/No.05 She left quietly so as not to disturb anyone.
No.06 We saved money in order to buy new books.
/No.06 We saved money in order to buy new books.
No.07 Turn on the light so that I can read the map.
/No.07 Turn on the light so that I can read the map.
No.08 He whispered to avoid waking the baby.
/No.08 He whispered to avoid waking the baby.
No.09 The teacher repeats instructions in order that everyone may follow.
/No.09 The teacher repeats instructions in order that everyone may follow.
No.10 I closed the windows so as to keep the noise out.
/No.10 I closed the windows so as to keep the noise out.
🎓 Practice exercises
/🎓 Practice exercises
Note: Think first, then check the answers.
/Note: Think first, then check the answers.
Q1: Choose the best form: I took notes _____ remember the main points. (to / so that)
/Q1: Choose the best form: I took notes _____ remember the main points. (to / so that)
Q2: Fill the blank (same subject): She left early _____ catch the train. (to / so that)
/Q2: Fill the blank (same subject): She left early _____ catch the train. (to / so that)
Q3: Choose correct sentence for different subject: A) He lowered his voice to the baby would sleep. B) He lowered his voice so that the baby would sleep.
/Q3: Choose correct sentence for different subject: A) He lowered his voice to the baby would sleep. B) He lowered his voice so that the baby would sleep.
Q4: Fill with formal negative: She avoided coffee _____ sleep well. (so as not to / so that not to)
/Q4: Fill with formal negative: She avoided coffee _____ sleep well. (so as not to / so that not to)
Q5: Choose the best: We closed the door _____ reduce the noise for the baby. (in order to / so that)
/Q5: Choose the best: We closed the door _____ reduce the noise for the baby. (in order to / so that)
Q6: Change to infinitive form (same subject): They practice every day so that they can play well. → They practice every day _____ play well.
/Q6: Change to infinitive form (same subject): They practice every day so that they can play well. → They practice every day _____ play well.
Q7: Fill the blank (in order to): I study hard _____ pass the exam. (in order to / so that)
/Q7: Fill the blank (in order to): I study hard _____ pass the exam. (in order to / so that)
Q8: Choose the best for ability/result: He speaks slowly _____ we (can / could) understand him better.
/Q8: Choose the best for ability/result: He speaks slowly _____ we (can / could) understand him better.
Q9: True or False: Use so that when the subject or result is different or you need can/could.
/Q9: True or False: Use so that when the subject or result is different or you need can/could.
Q10: Fill the blank (so as to): She smiled and nodded _____ not offend him. (so as / so as to)
/Q10: Fill the blank (so as to): She smiled and nodded _____ not offend him. (so as / so as to)
◆ Answers
/◆ Answers
A1: to → I took notes to remember the main points.
/A1: to → I took notes to remember the main points.
A2: to → She left early to catch the train.
/A2: to → She left early to catch the train.
A3: B) He lowered his voice so that the baby would sleep.
/A3: B) He lowered his voice so that the baby would sleep.
A4: so as not to → She avoided coffee so as not to sleep poorly.
/A4: so as not to → She avoided coffee so as not to sleep poorly.
A5: so that → We closed the door so that we could reduce the noise for the baby.
/A5: so that → We closed the door so that we could reduce the noise for the baby.
A6: to → They practice every day to play well.
/A6: to → They practice every day to play well.
A7: in order to → I study hard in order to pass the exam.
/A7: in order to → I study hard in order to pass the exam.
A8: can → He speaks slowly so that we can understand him better.
/A8: can → He speaks slowly so that we can understand him better.
A9: True.
/A9: True.
A10: so as to → She smiled and nodded so as to not offend him.
/A10: so as to → She smiled and nodded so as to not offend him.
🦉 Closing
/🦉 Closing
🦉Professor Owl: Well done.
/🦉Professor Owl: Well done.
Purpose expressions help your listener know why you act.
/Purpose expressions help your listener know why you act.
Remember to ask, “Is the subject the same?” and choose to/in order to/so as to for the same subject, and so that/in order that when you need a subject or to show result.
/Remember to ask, “Is the subject the same?” and choose to/in order to/so as to for the same subject, and so that/in order that when you need a subject or to show result.
🐧Igupen: I will check the subject and practice both short and clause forms.
/🐧Igupen: I will check the subject and practice both short and clause forms.
🦉Professor Owl: Practice writing two sentences each: one with to/in order to and one with so that/in order that.
/🦉Professor Owl: Practice writing two sentences each: one with to/in order to and one with so that/in order that.
Small checks like this make your grammar clear and your meaning strong.
/Small checks like this make your grammar clear and your meaning strong.
Keep practicing and enjoy discovering why language choices matter.
/Keep practicing and enjoy discovering why language choices matter.
