so that

Idioms  

1. In order that, as in I stopped so that you could catch up .

2. With the result or consequence that, as in Mail the package now so that it will arrive on time .

3. so ... that . In such a way or to such an extent that, as in The line was so long that I could scarcely find the end of it . All three usages date from a.d. 1000 or earlier, and the first two are sometimes put simply as so , as in I stopped so you could catch up , or Mail it now so it will arrive on time .

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Example Sentences

Officials argue that rather than rushing through relief efforts, the priority is to "build back better" so that new homes and businesses are resilient enough to withstand future disasters.

From BBC • Apr. 11, 2026

RDW's decision has to go to the European Commission for authorisation, so that its national certification has EU weight.

From Barron's • Apr. 11, 2026

The American strategy was to degrade Iran’s munitions so that the U.S. could escort vessels without being swarmed.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 10, 2026

And they report this information to executive management and the board in quantitative and qualitative ways, so that leadership can oversee the details and the firm’s overall direction for AI.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 10, 2026

I’ll figure out what needs to be done to make Pops’s dream come true so that when Nate’s ready, everything will be all teed up for him.

From "Red Flags and Butterflies" by Sheryl Azzam