As an English teacher, I often hear this particular question from my students: "What is the difference between so that and in order to?"
If you want to sound like a native speaker, you must master the structures behind them. These two forms are common in school exams and essential for daily conversation. Understanding the nuances will help you write more accurately and speak more fluently.
Although both phrases talk about the purpose and explain why we do something, they follow different grammatical rules. Because their structures differ, they are not always interchangeable. Let’s break it down simply so you can stop confusing in order to and so that once and for all.
🔹 1. Using “In Order To”
Function
In order to is followed by a verb and is used to explain why someone does something.
Pattern
Examples
- She studies hard in order to pass the exam.
- He woke up early in order to catch the first train.
- We save money in order to buy a new laptop.
💡 Tip:
In everyday English, to is often used instead of in order to, especially in informal contexts. In formal writing, “in order to” is more common, while “to” is preferred in spoken and informal English.
She studies hard to pass the exam. ✔️
🔹 2. Using “So That”
Function
So that is followed by a subject + verb and often shows a result or intention, sometimes with modal verbs like can, could, will, would.
Pattern
Examples
- She studies hard so that she can pass the exam.
- He whispered so that nobody would hear him.
- The teacher spoke loudly so that the students could understand.
💡 Key Point:
Use so that when you want to emphasize the result or when the sentence needs a subject after it.
🔹 3. Side-by-Side Comparison
While the meaning is similar, the "grammar math" is different. Here is the breakdown:
| Purpose | Sentence |
|---|---|
| Action-focused | She studies hard in order to pass the exam. |
| Result-focused | She studies hard so that she can pass the exam. |
➡️ Same meaning, different structure.
(Ads1)🔹 4. Common Mistakes to Avoid ❌
- ❌ She studies hard in order to she can pass the exam. (Don't use a subject after "in order to")
- ❌ She studies hard so that pass the exam. (Don't skip the subject after "so that")
- ✅ She studies hard so that she can pass the exam.
- ✅ She studies hard in order to pass the exam.
- ✅ She studies hard so that she can pass the exam.
📝 Quick Summary
- In order to is followed by a verb
- So that is followed by a subject + verb
- Both express purpose, but the grammar structure is different
📘 Reading Text
I have two small gardens at my house. In front of my house, there is a flower garden, and the other one is a vegetable garden in the backyard. I look after both gardens every day in order to keep the plants healthy. I also check the soil regularly so that the plants can grow well.
In my flower garden, there are many kinds of flowers such as roses, jasmines, orchids, and sunflowers. I water them every morning and in the afternoon in order to prevent them from drying out. I also give them fertilizer so that they can bloom beautifully. When the roses are blooming, I put them in a vase so that the room looks fresh and natural.
In the backyard, I have a vegetable garden. I plant tomatoes, chilies, eggplants, and celeries there in order to provide fresh vegetables for my family. I also plant some fruit trees, such as mango, strawberry, rambutan, and guava trees. Once a week, I spray the leaves with fertilizer so that the plants can produce fruit and flowers more quickly.
📝 Comprehension Questions
- What is the text mainly about?
- How many gardens does the writer have, and where are they located?
- Why does the writer look after the gardens every day?
- What kinds of flowers are planted in the flower garden?
- Why does the writer water the flowers every morning and afternoon?
- What does the writer do so that the flowers can bloom beautifully?
- What vegetables are planted in the backyard garden?
- Why does the writer plant vegetables in the garden?
- What fruit trees does the writer plant in the garden?
- What does the writer do so that the plants can produce fruit and flowers more quickly?
