ENGLISH
REFERENCE

so that

idiom
A2
Meaning

you use this to explain the reason or purpose for doing something.

Origin

disputed origin

From Middle English so that, so þat, sa þat, swo þat, swa þat, from Old English swā þæt, equivalent to so + that. Cognate with Saterland Frisian sodät, West Frisian sadat, Dutch zodat, German sodaß, sodass.

Examples
SIMPLE

I study hard so that I can pass the test.

CONTEXTUAL

She saved money every month so that she could afford a trip to Europe next summer.

COMPLEX

The government implemented new policies so that the local economy might recover from the recent period of instability.

Last updated April 22, 2026