"So" Phrases: Expressing purpose, cause-effect, or result

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So Phrases

Expressing purpose, cause-effect, or result

So That / So … That

SO THAT		SO … THAT
Use so that to introduce a clause indicating a purpose. So that is often used with can or could. ( In order is also used for purpose.)		Use so … that to place emphasis on the the cause. Use an adverb or adjective after so.
ACTION	PURPOSE	CAUSE	EFFECT
We stayed out all night	so that we could watch a meteor storm.	We stayed out so long (adv)	that we were cold and tired in the morning.
We brought some blankets	so that we could keep warm.	The starts were so bright (adj)	that we were amazed.

Also see Stating Purpose (in order to)

Because / So

BECAUSE		SO
Use because to introduce a clause giving a reason (cause).		Use so to join one clause to another and to add a resulting action to the first clause. (conjunction)
CAUSE	EFFECT	CAUSE	EFFECT
Because we stayed out so long,	we were cold and tired in the morning.	We stayed out all night,	so we were cold and tired in the morning.
Because we brought warm blankets,	we were warm in the morning.	We brought blankets,	so we were warm in the morning.

Punctuation

NO COMMA		COMMA
Use no commas with these connectors when placed between two clauses.		Use a comma with these connectors when placed between two clauses.
The baby pulled the lever so (that) he could get some candy. The baby pulled the lever so (that) he could get some candy. The baby pulled the lever in order to get some candy. The baby pulled the lever to get some candy. The baby pulled the lever for some candy.		The baby cried, so his mother gave him candy. The baby cried, so his mother gave him some candy. The baby cried, therefore, his mother gave him . . . The baby cried; consequently, his mother gave him . . The baby cried; as a result, his mother gave him . . .

Also see: Stating Purpose ; FANBOYS (punctuation)

So used with could

PURPOSE	RESULT
The action was undertaken with the intent to reach a goal (future-past) which may or may not have been reached.	The action was taken. Some expected and unexpected results occurred.
I took an Astronomy class so (that) I could identify stars.	I took an Astronomy class, so I could / can identify stars.

So

Expressions

So and So!

so	It's so cold today. I'm so glad to meet you. (very)	, so	He left, so I left too. (result)
so	I want it so. (in this way)	so that	I left so that I could catch a bus. (purpose)
so	He wants it and so do I. (in the same way)	so . . . that	It was so hot that the candles melted. (result)
so-so	I'm feeling so-so today. (mediocre)	so to speak	He was pulling my leg, so to speak. (figuratively speaking)
so	I was so right there! (truly, indeed)	so much/many	We bought so much. (quantity)
so	Ten or so are here. (approximately)	so as	We laughed so as to make light of the situation. (for the purpose of)
So!	So! You took the last piece. (exclamation of shock or discovery)	so what?	So what? (Who cares? or What's the point?)

Related page: so much / so many

Practice1

Leonids - Meteor Showers

Read the sentence and decide which "so" phrase should be used.

Select your response.
Then, read the feedback about your reponse.

#	YOUR RESPONSE	YOUR RESPONSE FEEDBACK
1.	Scientists want to study such phenomena they can understand bio-origins. phenomena = phenomenon (plural) = an impressive occurrence of nature so that , so	FEEDBACK 1:
2.	Scientists are studying the phenomena they are learning a lot more about bio-origins. so (that) , so	FEEDBACK 2:
3.	A rainstorm was approaching the sky was overcast. (cloudy) so (that) , so	FEEDBACK 3:
4.	Some people went up in airplanes and flew above the clouds they could see the meteor showers. so (that) , so	FEEDBACK 4:
5.	Some people were in airplanes above the clouds they could see the meteor showers. so (that) , so	FEEDBACK 5:
6.	Because of the danger of bullet-particles, satellites are being repositioned they will be less likely to be damaged. bullet = high speed bits; less likely = lower chance so (that) , so	FEEDBACK 6:
7.	Scientists, over the past century, have noticed that this Leonid storm occurs every 33 years they predicted it would return this year. so (that) , so	FEEDBACK 7:
8.	Scientists, over the past century, carefully noted the occurences of meteor storms they could predict exactly when the Leonid would return this year. , so (that)	FEEDBACK 8:
9.	The best view is expected to be in Asia many scientists have flown there to make their observations. so (that) , so	FEEDBACK 9:
10.	Many scientists have flown to Asia they can be where the best view is expected. so (that) , so	FEEDBACK 10:

Practice 2

Read the sentence and decide which "so" phrase should be used.

Select your response.
Then, read the feedback about your reponse.

#	FEEDBACK	YOUR RESPONSE
11.	The Leonid watchers had to drive far North they could find less cloudy view of the sky. -- . . . so that so . . . that	FEEDBACK 11:
12.	The sky was full of clouds many Leonid watchers couldn't see the sky. -- . . . so that so . . . that	FEEDBACK 12:
13.	many people head for the mountains they can get a good view of the night sky. so . . . so that so . . . that	FEEDBACK 13:
14.	Scientists in observatories have to work quickly they can photograph the meteor as it passes earth in the upper atmosphere. so . . . so that so . . . that	FEEDBACK 14:
15.	Leonid's trail is wide as it passes earth, it affects the upper atmosphere. so . . . that so . . . so that	FEEDBACK 16:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leonid_meteor_shower

Practice 3

Read the sentence and decide which "so" phrase should be used.

Select your response. Pay attention to the punctuation.
Then, read the feedback about your reponse.

#	YOUR RESPONSE	FEEDBACK
16.	In ancient times, people were frightened by meteor storms because they didn't understand what was happening they believed the storms were bad "omens". (sign of bad luck to come). so , so	FEEDBACK 16:
17.	In ancient times, people stayed inside they wouldn't have bad luck. so , so	FEEDBACK 17:
18.	A lot of people head for the mountains with warm sleeping bags they can sleep out and watch the "falling stars". so , so	FEEDBACK 18:
19.	A lot of people go camping in the summer and sleep outside they can watch the "falling stars". so , so	FEEDBACK 19:
20.	I took an Astronomy class in college I can identify the stars in the sky. so , so	FEEDBACK 20: