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

See Examples For:

so that

Since the pandemic, scientists and politicians have debated the value of “gain of function” research, in which viruses are made more transmissible or otherwise altered so that scientists can understand how they work.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 29, 2026

Active managers, on average, produce a negative incremental return after fees, so that 1% ends up costing more than 100% of whatever you gained by hiring them.

From MarketWatch ● Jul. 29, 2026

Make sure you’re doing this,’ so that when the opportunity comes, you’ll be ready.”

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 29, 2026

In the book, Kip loves the English and the West — so much so that he sings their songs and wears their clothes.

From Salon ● Jul. 28, 2026

They formed a thick cloud around the canoe so that at times it was impossible to even see the bank.

From "Woodsong" by Gary Paulsen