so as not to affect

USAGE SUMMARY

"so as not to affect" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is typically used to indicate a purpose or intention to prevent something from being affected. Example: I turned off my phone during the movie so as not to affect the other viewers' experience.

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

27 human-written examples

The N-terminal GB1 tag is joined to the ASC PYD via a four-amino acid linker, which is sufficiently long (∼12 Å) so as not to affect the three-dimensional structure of the ASC PYD.

Biochemistry

Importantly, the dyes were rendered non-interactive so as not to affect the simulation.

Nature

This tailoring is done in a way so as not to affect the weight of the plate.

Acta Mechanica Solida Sinica

"As soon as the doctor saw him he ordered him home so as not to affect the other players".

The Guardian - Sport

The wire spacing of the control winding is made small so as not to affect substantially the magnetic field created by the primary winding.

Magnetic Resonance Materials in Physics, Biology and Medicine

As well as paying down debt – a calculation that must be calibrated so as not to affect the share price too much – the proceeds of the float will be used to further grow their Asian commercial operation.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

33 human-written examples

But if every American response will be subject to the same prolonged decision-making process the world has witnessed over the past week and a half, and then carried out so cautiously as not to affect the outcome of the civil war, what incentive would Mr. Assad have to not test Mr. Obama's "red line" again?

The New York Times

It is essential, therefore, to characterize, reduce and correct these distortions and inaccuracies, so as not to adversely affect quantitative results.

Physica Medica

A sensitivity analysis ensured that the domain length was sufficiently long so as not to not affect the results.

Plosone

As I left the dorm that night, a group of girls who had been told to change their sheets, so as not to be affected by the tear gas, formed a semi-circle, and one threw a quarter at me and yelled, "Here, Charlayne, go and change my sheets".

The New Yorker

Power is obtained from 1500 V overhead lines through a pantograph which can be designed in a manner so as not to be affected during tilting, a weight of about 39 tonnes when fully laden and it currently seats 68 people sitting and 232 standing.

Urban Rail Transit

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "so as not to affect", ensure the sentence clearly states what action is being taken to prevent the unwanted effect. For example: "The data was anonymized, "so as not to affect" the privacy of individuals."

Common error

Avoid using "so as not to affect" when the outcome is uncertain or the effect is negligible. Instead, use it when there's a clear and preventable potential consequence. For example, don't say: "I closed the window "so as not to affect" the global climate."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "so as not to affect" functions as an adverbial phrase of purpose. As Ludwig AI indicates, it specifies the reason or intention behind an action, aiming to prevent a particular outcome. Examples show its usage in various contexts to indicate preventative measures.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

40%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

10%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "so as not to affect" serves as a purpose connector, indicating an intention to prevent a specific consequence. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. It is commonly used in scientific, news, and formal business contexts. When using this phrase, ensure the sentence clearly states the preventative action. Related phrases include "in order to avoid affecting" and "to prevent any impact on". While grammatically sound, it's important to use it when there's a clear and preventable potential consequence. This phrase is most suitable for neutral to formal settings where clarity and precision are valued.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in order to avoid affecting

Replaces "so as not to" with "in order to avoid", emphasizing the intention to prevent an action.

to prevent any impact on

Focuses on preventing any impact, using a more direct and concise structure.

with the intention of not influencing

Highlights the intention to avoid influence, using a more formal tone.

to ensure it does not affect

Emphasizes ensuring that something remains unaffected, using a more assertive tone.

in an effort to keep from affecting

Highlights the effort made to prevent affecting something, adding a sense of active prevention.

such that it doesn't affect

Uses "such that" to indicate a condition resulting in no effect.

so that it will not influence

Similar in intent, but uses a future tense to express the desired outcome.

with the goal of preserving

Shifts focus to preserving the original state by avoiding influence.

designed to not interfere with

Highlights the design or intention to not interfere, implying careful planning.

with the aim of safeguarding against affecting

Emphasizes safeguarding and protecting against any potential influence.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "so as not to affect" in a sentence?

You can use alternatives like "in order to avoid affecting", "to prevent any impact on", or "with the intention of not influencing" depending on the context.

Is "so as to not affect" grammatically correct?

While "so as to not affect" might be understood, "so as not to affect" is the standard and more grammatically sound construction. The latter clearly expresses the intended purpose.

When is it appropriate to use "so as not to affect" in writing?

Use "so as not to affect" when you want to explicitly state your intention to prevent a specific consequence or influence, ensuring clarity and purpose in your writing.

What's the difference between "so as not to affect" and "in order to not affect"?

Both phrases express a similar intention, but "so as not to affect" often carries a slightly more formal tone than "in order to not affect". The choice depends on the overall style and formality of your writing.