largely so that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "largely so that" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate the primary reason or purpose for something, often suggesting that the reason is significant but not the only one. Example: "The project was funded largely so that the team could develop new technologies to improve efficiency."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

Russia wants Belarus to liberalise its economy, largely so that Russian firms can buy up the country's main industrial assets.

The Economist

Kasparaitis was sent to Hartford largely so that his $3 million salary would not count against the Rangers' salary cap.

The New York Times - Sports

She went to the University of Iowa, she says, largely so that she could help his Presidential Campaign prepare for the Iowa caucuses in 1988.

The New Yorker

The United States has been borrowing enormous sums of money from other countries, largely so that American consumers can turn around and buy the computers, clothing and other goods those countries make.

The New York Times

Mr. Kentis was eager to shoot in digital video, largely so that he could dispense with a filmmaking crew, keep costs down and control the creative process more fully.

The New York Times

That date was brought forward to 2003, largely so that the work on the constitution could be completed before the newcomers joined the Union.Consistent with this, at the constitutional convention, every effort was made to limit the influence of the newcomers.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

However Freeman (1994) counters this view, arguing that union switches in panel data are largely spurious so that measurement error biases the union coefficient towards zero in the panel.

IZA Journal of Labor Economics

Looking ahead, music-industry analysts said that though overall numbers for music sales were strong so far this year, that was largely so because of the first quarter of 2000 (thanks again to 'N Sync) and that since March sales have been slipping each month.

The New York Times - Arts

I think so; that is largely what this book is about.

The New York Times - Books

"I work on the Internet and don't really talk to anyone, so that's largely what appeals to me," Wright, a digital writer, said.

The New Yorker

So that is largely thanks to the government loans.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "largely so that", ensure that the clause following it clearly explains the intended outcome or purpose. This helps maintain clarity and logical flow in your writing.

Common error

While grammatically correct, "largely so that" can sound overly formal in casual conversation or informal writing. Consider using simpler alternatives like "mostly to" or "mainly to" for a more natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "largely so that" functions as a purpose connector, linking two clauses to indicate that the second clause represents the primary reason or intention behind the action described in the first clause. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

63%

Science

25%

Wiki

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "largely so that" serves as a purpose connector to illustrate the primary reason behind an action. While grammatically sound and confirmed by Ludwig, it is best suited for neutral to formal contexts. Common alternatives include "primarily so that" and "mainly so that". Usage patterns indicate that it's most frequently found in News & Media and Science contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

primarily so that

Emphasizes the main reason or purpose more strongly.

mainly so that

Indicates the principal reason, similar to 'primarily'.

mostly so that

Implies that the purpose is true in most cases but not necessarily all.

chiefly so that

Highlights the most important or prominent reason.

principally so that

Similar to 'primarily' and 'mainly', indicating a leading reason.

largely in order to

Rephrases the construction using 'in order to' which often implies intention.

mostly in order to

Similar to 'largely in order to', but with a slightly less formal tone.

primarily with the aim of

Focuses on the intended goal or objective.

largely because

Shifts focus to the cause or reason, rather than purpose.

mainly due to the fact that

Emphasizes the cause and effect relationship.

FAQs

How can I use "largely so that" in a sentence?

"Largely so that" connects two clauses where the second clause expresses the main purpose of the action in the first clause. For example: "The United States has been borrowing enormous sums of money from other countries, "largely so that" American consumers can turn around and buy the computers, clothing and other goods those countries make."

What are some alternatives to "largely so that"?

You can use phrases like "mainly so that", "primarily so that", or "mostly so that" to convey a similar meaning with slight variations in emphasis.

Is it always necessary to include "so that" after "largely"?

The phrase "largely" can also be used without "so that" to simply mean 'mostly' or 'to a great extent'. The inclusion of "so that" introduces the element of purpose or intention, indicating that something is done primarily for a specific reason.

What's the difference between "largely so that" and "mainly because"?

"Largely so that" indicates purpose or intention, while "mainly because" indicates cause or reason. "Largely so that" is used when you want to explain the goal or objective behind an action, whereas "mainly because" is used to explain the reason or cause behind a situation or event.