so that

1. 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 .

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

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