So as to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "So as to" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate purpose or intention, often in more formal contexts. Example: "She studied hard so as to pass the exam with flying colors."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

So as to prevent pandemonium?

The New Yorker

"So as to choose," she replies.

The New Yorker

"So as to do them?" her aunt asks.

The New Yorker

So as to Shift from this / tricky Part.

The New York Times - Books

So as to minimize The sum of square errors (SQE).

Applied Petrochemical Research

So as to trade a body for a body.

Huffington Post

Stop shedding our blood so as to preserve your blood.

The New Yorker

"I wanted to be transparent, so as to be understood.

The New Yorker

I considered converting, so as to be eligible for sainthood.

The New Yorker

Gregory drinks coffee so as to stay "shiny-eyed awake".

The New York Times - Books

They enforced security, so as to maximise their earnings.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "so as to" in formal writing when you want to clearly express the purpose of an action. It adds a touch of sophistication but avoid overuse to prevent sounding stilted.

Common error

Avoid using "so as to" in casual conversations or informal writing. Opt for simpler alternatives like "to" or "in order to" to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "so as to" functions as a subordinating conjunction introducing a clause of purpose. It connects two clauses, indicating the reason or aim behind the action in the main clause. Ludwig AI confirms that is a correct usage.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

33%

News & Media

33%

Wiki

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "so as to" is a grammatically correct connector used to express purpose, albeit more formal and less frequent than alternatives like "in order to" or simply "to". Ludwig confirms that this phrase is appropriate for formal writing and scientific contexts. While it's a valid way to clarify intentions, keep in mind that overusing it can make your writing sound overly formal. The contexts where is most frequently found are Science, News & Media and Wiki.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

In order to

A direct synonym, providing a slightly more common alternative for expressing purpose.

So that

A more common alternative, providing a slightly more informal option for expressing purpose.

In an effort to

Emphasizes the attempt or exertion made to achieve a particular outcome.

With the aim of

Highlights the specific goal or target intended to be reached.

To ensure that

Highlights the act of guaranteeing a specific outcome.

For the purpose of

A more formal alternative, indicating the reason or objective behind an action.

With the intention of

Focuses on the mental state and planned outcome of the action.

With a view to

A more formal alternative indicating the consideration of a particular outcome.

To the end that

A highly formal and somewhat archaic option, stressing the desired result.

In anticipation of

Suggests preparing for something before it happens.

FAQs

How can I use "so as to" in a sentence?

"So as to" is used to express the purpose or intention behind an action. For example: "She studied diligently "so as to" pass the exam."

What are some alternatives to "so as to"?

You can use alternatives like "in order to", "to", or "so that" depending on the context.

Is "so as to" formal or informal?

"So as to" is generally considered more formal. In informal contexts, using just "to" is often sufficient.

What's the difference between "so as to" and "in order to"?

Both "so as to" and "in order to" express purpose and are often interchangeable, but "so as to" is slightly more formal and less commonly used than "in order to".