So That And In Order That/ Subordinating conjunctions of purpose

Both “so that” and “in order that” are subordinating conjunctions commonly used to express purposes. As per use, former one is a conjunction of purpose and is more common but less formal than later one.

“In order that” is used for more firm and determined purpose. Apart from this, “so…that” correlative conjunction is also used to describe cause and effect relationship in regular expressions.

Understanding so that and in order that

Hidden meaning of these conjunctions “for what?”
The hidden meaning of both is relatively same with varying degrees. In order that is more firm and determined. But, both answer question “for what”.

Both are subordinating conjunctions.
Unlike so that, in order that is commonly used at the beginning or in the middle of the sentence. Hence, it is more formal than so that.
So that is often placed in the middle of the sentence and followed by subject and verb.

As a complex sentence, comma is placed whenever such conjunctions are used at the beginning of the sentence.
Otherwise, comma is omitted in case of middle of the sentence.

Apart from conjunction, in order that is also used as a phrase at the beginning of the sentence.

Useful Examples of so that and in order that

He exercises daily so that he could stay fit and healthy. ( so that follows subject and verb)
I use fountain pen so that I improve my handwriting.
She has decided to go by train so that she can take more luggage.

In all the examples, ‘so that” is used in the middle of the sentence. Therefore, there is no need for comma or any other punctuation marks. Moreover, it is avoided at the beginning of the sentence as well.

In order that for more firm purpose

He works very hard in order that he could offer better future for his family.
In order that he could offer better future for his family, he works very hard.
In order that she could stay slim and healthy, she maintains strict diet.
She maintains strict diet in order that she could stay slim and healthy.

In order to for infinitive clause

Infinitive is also preferred to express purpose apart from “that”.

She maintains strict diet in order to stay slim and healthy.
In order to improve my handwriting, I use fountain pen.

Cause and effect relationship

As a conjunction of purpose, so that is used to introduce the reasons for doing something — purpose.

But, as a correlative conjunction, “so…that” is used to express relationship between cause and effect. “So” is used for cause and “that” describes effect.