ENGLISH
REFERENCE

in order to do sth

prep. phr..
B1 Intermediate Oxford

prep. phr.. you use this to explain the purpose or reason for an action.

prep. phr.. a complex prepositional phrase used to introduce a subordinate clause of purpose, followed by an infinitive verb.


SIMPLE

I woke up early in order to finish my homework.

CONTEXTUAL

She saved money for three years in order to buy a small apartment in the city center.

COMPLEX

The government implemented stricter environmental regulations in order to reduce carbon emissions and meet international climate targets by the end of the decade.

Usage

followed by the base form of a verb; often shortened to just 'to' in casual conversation.

Teaching tip

contrast with 'so that' which requires a subject and a modal verb like 'can' or 'will' instead of an infinitive.

Pitfall

in order to doing itin order to do itthe phrase must be followed by the infinitive form of the verb, not the gerund.

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