in order to

USAGE SUMMARY

'in order to' is correct and usable in written English.
It is used to introduce a purpose, meaning, or explanation for something. For example: "I came to the store early in order to get the best selection of items."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

In order to make money.

The New Yorker

Help me in order to help you.

The New York Times

"In order to have the truth prevail".

The New Yorker

In order to make more movies.

The New Yorker

In order To keep going on.

The New Yorker

"My parents eloped, in order to marry.

The New Yorker

in 1968 in order to win.

The New Yorker

In order to pace ourselves.

The Guardian - Books

We withdrew in order to win".

The New York Times

"They cheated in order to get it.

The New York Times

We're retrenching in order to survive.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "in order to" when you want to clearly emphasize the purpose or intention behind an action, especially in formal or technical writing. It adds a layer of explicitness that "to" alone might not convey.

Common error

Avoid using "in order to" excessively in casual conversation or informal writing. Overusing it can make your language sound stilted or pretentious. In simpler contexts, "to" often suffices and sounds more natural.

How to use

Learn how to use "in order to" with practical examples and tips.

How to use

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in order to" functions as a purpose connector, linking an action to its intended outcome. It explicitly introduces a clause that explains the reason or aim behind a particular action. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

41%

Science

25%

Wiki

16%

Less common in

Formal & Business

12%

HuffPost

3%

Vice

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "in order to" is a versatile phrase used to express purpose or intention. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and frequent use across various contexts. While it's a valuable tool for clarity, remember that overusing it can make your writing sound overly formal. Consider simpler alternatives like "to" in less formal situations. This phrase appears most commonly in News & Media and Science, marking it as a useful expression to master.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

so that

Replaces "in order to" by directly introducing the intended result or purpose.

so as to

A more concise way to express purpose, often used in formal writing.

with the intention of

Specifies a conscious aim or objective behind an action, adding emphasis on intent.

for the purpose of

Formally states the reason or goal for doing something, suitable for formal contexts.

to that end

Indicates actions taken specifically to achieve a previously stated goal.

with a view to

Highlights the consideration or anticipation of a particular outcome when taking action.

in an effort to

Emphasizes the attempt or endeavor made to achieve a specific result.

to

A simpler form of expressing purpose, often used in informal writing and speech.

for

Indicates the reason or purpose behind an action, simpler and less formal.

on account of

Similar to "because of", indicating a cause or reason for something, but can also imply purpose.

FAQs

How can I use "in order to" in a sentence?

"In order to" is used to express the purpose or reason for doing something. For example: "She studied hard "in order to pass the exam"." It introduces the goal or aim of an action.

What are some alternatives to "in order to"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "so that", "to", "for the purpose of", or "with the intention of". These alternatives can make your writing more concise or suitable for different levels of formality.

Is it always necessary to use "in order to" instead of just "to"?

No, it's not always necessary. While "in order to" emphasizes purpose, "to" is often sufficient and more natural in many contexts. Use "in order to" when you want to add emphasis or clarity to the reason behind an action. For example say "I went to the store to buy milk" instead of "I went to the store "in order to buy milk"".

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

Both "in order to" and "so as to" express purpose, but "so as to" is generally considered more formal and less common in everyday speech. "In order to" is slightly more versatile and widely used across different registers.