so as to be

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "so as to be" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use this phrase when you want to explain the purpose of a particular action. For example: "He studied hard so as to be accepted to the university."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Inheritance system themselves develop so as to be able to store, transmit, and receive hereditary information.

SEP

Effort was allocated (LE) so as to be seen to be "doing your bit".

BMC Medical Education

The level of exercise was calculated so as to be similar to that perceived during a general exercise session.

BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders

We fixed the citation in Table 1, and reordered the functions in the table so as to be alphabetical.

F1000Research

"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

Hamilton's principle is extended so as to be able to model external flow structure interaction.

Journal of Sound and Vibration

Measurements were made using a camera and flash, so as to be directly applicable to photogrammetry.

ISPRS Journal of Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing

The PRT was also designed so as to be capable of simultaneously obtaining TOF data.

Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research Section A: Accelerators, Spectrometers, Detectors and Associated Equipment

Oliveros urges users to practice beforehand, so as to be prepared when the big day arrives.

University of California, Berkeley

Did the defendants' transactions directly 'affect' interstate commerce so as to be subject to federal regulation?

Harvard University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "so as to be" to clearly articulate the intended purpose or outcome of an action or design. For example, "The experiment was controlled so as to be as accurate as possible."

Common error

Avoid using "so as to be" in informal contexts where simpler alternatives like "to be" or "in order to" would suffice. Overuse can make your writing sound stilted.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "so as to be" functions as a purpose connector, indicating the intended result or aim of an action. Ludwig AI shows its frequent usage in various sentence structures to denote intention.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

52%

News & Media

28%

Academia

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "so as to be" is a purpose connector that effectively expresses the intention behind an action. As shown by Ludwig, this phrase is commonly used across various contexts, particularly in science, news, and academic writing. Ludwig AI validates its grammatical correctness, while suggesting to consider simpler alternatives in less formal settings. While "so as to be" is versatile, always assess whether a simpler phrasing would be more appropriate for your intended audience and context. Considering alternatives such as "in order to be" or "to be able to" may enhance clarity and conciseness in certain situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in order to be

A slightly more formal alternative, emphasizing intention.

to be able to

Focuses on the capability achieved as a result of an action.

with the purpose of being

Emphasizes the intended aim or goal.

for the purpose of

Highlights the reason or objective behind an action, less directly involving a state of being.

intending to be

Stresses the intent or aim in achieving a certain state.

so that it can be

Breaks down the phrase for clarity, suitable for less formal contexts.

in such a way as to be

More verbose and emphasizes the manner in which something is done to achieve a result.

to ensure it is

Focuses on guaranteeing a specific outcome or state.

designed to be

Implies a deliberate construction or plan to achieve a particular state or functionality.

with the goal of being

Highlights the ultimate objective, placing emphasis on the desired outcome.

FAQs

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

Use "so as to be" to express the purpose or intention behind an action. For example, "The data was anonymized "so as to be" compliant with privacy regulations."

What are some alternatives to "so as to be"?

Alternatives include phrases like "in order to be", "to be able to", or "with the purpose of being", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is there a difference in formality between "so as to be" and "in order to be"?

"So as to be" and "in order to be" are quite similar in formality, but "in order to be" is generally perceived as slightly more common and less formal than "so as to be".

When is it best to avoid using "so as to be"?

Avoid using "so as to be" in casual conversation or informal writing where a simpler construction like "to be" would be more appropriate. Using it too often can make your writing sound overly formal or stilted.