Thread: do we have two different versions of the phrase SO THATt?

A. We also use in order that and so that to talk about a purpose. Compare: n She stayed at work late in order/so as to complete the report, and ■1 She stayed at work late in order that/so that she could complete the report, (not ...in order that/so that to complete the report.) So that is more common than in order that, and is used in less formal situations.


B.In formal contexts, such as academic writing, we can use such that to introduce a result: n The model was designed such that the value of x could be calculated. (= 'in a way that has the result that...'; or ...in order that...; or ...so that...) Less formally we can also use in such a way that or in such a way as + to-infinitive with a similar meaning: T The advertisement is printed in such a way that two very different pictures can be seen depending on how you look at it.


Considering the bold parts, I think we could interchangeably use either in order that or so that in two different circumstances-- purpose or introducing a result.
But, if we would like discern between those, then we should say:


so that, in order that, in such a way that,and in a way that are used for introducing a result.

so that, in order that, in doing so are used for showing a purpose.

Am I right?
Of course, I meant just so that not so... that.

So to speak, I am wondering the reason why there has been written so that twice. Does so that mean two different meanings?

Your title is very unclear .You have written

"discerning between so that and so that?"

I think you need to edit the title of your post . You can edit it by going into "Go Advanced" in order to do that .

It is too confusing for me to try to answer you otherwise.

Well ,I think your text is suggesting that "so that " can be used to indicate either a result or a purpose.

A purpose would be "She stayed at work late so that she could complete the report,"

A result (according to your text) would be "The model was designed so that the value of x could be calculated."

However I think I disagree with the text (your lesson) and I am not convinced that "so that " can be used to indicate a result rather than a purpose.

I think that "The model was designed so that the value of x could be calculated." shows a purpose rather than a simple result.

However others may disagree with me (I may be wrong) and it may be possible to find another example of "so that" which does not indicate a purpose (only a result)

If you only want to show the result (not the purpose) there are other ways of doing it

eg "The model was designed in such a way that the value of x could (or was able to) be calculated."