so as to

USAGE SUMMARY

'so as to' is perfectly correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you are trying to explain the purpose of or the reason for an action. Example sentence: She's working hard in school so as to get into a good college.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

So as to prevent pandemonium?

The New Yorker

"So as to choose," she replies.

The New Yorker

Residuals are defined so as to detect the sensor fault.

Journal of the Franklin Institute

Therefore communities develop security and manners so as to benefit.

University of California, Berkeley

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

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

The New Yorker

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

The New Yorker

So as to Shift from this / tricky Part.

The New York Times - Books

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" to clearly and formally state the purpose or intention behind an action, especially in professional or academic writing. Ensure that the sentence structure is clear, with the subject performing the action directly related to the stated purpose.

Common error

Avoid using "so as to" in very informal contexts, as it can sound overly formal or stilted. Simpler alternatives like "to" or "in order to" might be more appropriate for casual communication.

How to use

Learn how to use "so as to" with practical examples and tips.

How to use

Linguistic Context

The phrase "so as to" functions as a purpose clause marker, introducing the reason or intention behind an action. It clarifies why something is done, aligning with Ludwig AI's assessment of its usability in written English. Examples in Ludwig show this function across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

32%

News & Media

31%

Wiki

23%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "so as to" serves as a purpose connector, effectively indicating the intention behind an action. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and widely used. While versatile, it's most frequently encountered in scientific, news media, and wiki contexts, suggesting a preference for formal or technical writing. For less formal situations, simpler alternatives like "to" or "in order to" may be more suitable. The phrase's function is to express intent clearly, and choosing it wisely can enhance the precision and clarity of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in order to

A more common and slightly less formal way to express purpose.

to

A concise and very common way to indicate purpose.

so that

Introduces a clause expressing the intended result.

for the purpose of

A more formal and emphatic way to express intent.

with the aim of

Focuses on the specific goal or objective.

in an effort to

Highlights the attempt or endeavor being made.

such that

Indicates a result or consequence.

with a view to

A more formal and somewhat archaic expression of purpose.

in the hope of

Emphasizes the desired outcome or expectation.

to the end that

A formal and emphatic way to express ultimate purpose.

FAQs

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

Use "so as to" to express the purpose of an action. For example: "She studied diligently "so as to pass" the exam."

What are some alternatives to "so as to"?

Alternatives include "in order to", "to", "for the purpose of", and "with the aim of", depending on the desired level of formality.

Is it better to use "so as to" or "in order to"?

"In order to" is generally more common and slightly less formal than "so as to". Choose the phrase that best fits the tone of your writing.

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

"So as to" is followed by an infinitive verb (e.g., "so as to succeed"), while "so that" introduces a clause with a subject and verb (e.g., "so that she could succeed").