Grammar · Free lesson
So that: explain the purpose of an action
You are preparing a map for a walking tour. You make it larger because you want visitors to read the street names easily. You can explain your aim with “I enlarge the map so that visitors can read the street names.” That tells us the purpose; it does not report a test of every visitor’s reading.
Professor Scott MendozaThe short answer
Use so that to introduce an intended purpose: “I enlarge the map so that visitors can read the street names.” Name who will benefit after so that. In this pattern, can or could is followed by the base verb, such as read.
Connect the action to its intended goal.
Start with the action. Then use so that and a clause with its own subject: visitors can read the street names. The person doing the first action and the person benefiting can be different. For a past action and its intended purpose at that time, could works naturally: I enlarged the map so that visitors could read it.
Keep the action and the goal visible
I enlarge the map so that visitors can read the street names.
I enlarged the map so that visitors could read the street names.
We label the boxes so that the volunteers can find the cups.
Can read and could read use the base verb without to or an extra s. The clause is a statement, so the subject comes before can or could.
Build one purpose sentence
Name your action
I enlarge the map.
Name the goal and who benefits
Visitors can read the street names.
Join the two ideas
I enlarge the map so that visitors can read the street names.
Try it now
Explain the intended purpose.
Read all answers and explanations
Choose the complete statement using so that and can to explain why you enlarge a map.
I enlarge the map so that visitors can read it.Use so that + visitors + can + read. A purpose clause needs its subject and verb here; do not use question order can visitors.
Describe the purpose of yesterday’s action using could. Which sentence has the correct verb form after could?
I enlarged the map so that visitors could read it.Could takes the base verb read. Do not add to or change it to reads. The purpose belongs to the past action described.
Before anyone uses the map, the organizer says, “I enlarge the map so that visitors can read the street names.” What aim is expressed?
The organizer wants the larger map to help visitors read the street names.The organizer’s aim is to make the street names readable for visitors. The sentence does not prove that everyone has succeeded or say that visitors enlarged the map.
Put it into practice
Make the missing person clear.
You enlarged the map to help visitors read the street names. Repair the missing subject in this purpose clause while keeping that meaning.
I enlarged the map so that could read the street names.
See a model answer
I enlarged the map so that visitors could read the street names.
I is the person who enlarged the map; visitors are the people who were meant to read it. The revised sentence makes both roles clear.
A little more clarity
Common questions
A few useful details before you move on.
Is that always required after so?
No. In informal purpose clauses, speakers often omit that. Keeping it here makes the purpose pattern easy to see.
I moved the sign so visitors could see it.
Must I always use can or could after so that?
No. Other forms, including will or a present-simple verb, can appear. This lesson practices can/could for enabling someone to do something. Choose a form that fits your meaning and time.
I will send the address so that you know where to go.
Take it into your day
An action + so that + a subject and verb can explain a goal. A goal is not proof that it was achieved.
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Make the connection between your ideas clearer.
The English Grammar and English Speaking Master Course includes Subordinating Conjunctions, with Learn it, Review it, Use it and Practice it lessons. Continue from this short purpose pattern into the course’s broader grammar and speaking practice.
Explore the course English Master Course: English Grammar and English Speaking