so that he

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "so that he" is correct and can be used in written English.
You could use this phrase if you are wanting to explain why something happens or is done. For example, "He carried an umbrella so that he would stay dry in the rain."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"So that," he said, "is what I have aimed for".

The New York Times - Magazine

— so that he can "bag women".

The New Yorker

lab so that he would remain anonymous.

The New Yorker

So that he might love her more.

The New York Times - Arts

So that," he adds, "is the beginning of Gnosis.

Independent

so that he could succeed to the Presidency.

The New Yorker

"He found this unknown so that he could mould her.

Independent

"No,' she said quietly, so that he couldn't hear.

Independent

Then, we help so that he won't be nervous.

The New Yorker

Bang hard while propitiating, so that he might hear you!

The New Yorker

So that he could compose his own music.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "so that he" to clearly express the purpose or intention behind an action performed by the subject. This ensures clarity and avoids ambiguity in your writing.

Common error

Avoid using incorrect verb tenses after "so that he". Ensure the tense of the verb following "so that he" is consistent with the context and accurately reflects the intended purpose or result.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "so that he" functions as a subordinating conjunction introducing a subordinate clause that expresses the purpose or reason for the action in the main clause. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

36%

Science

33%

Academia

25%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "so that he" is a common and grammatically sound construction used to express purpose or intention. Ludwig AI validates its correctness and prevalent use across different contexts. It functions as a subordinating conjunction, explaining why an action is performed by a particular subject. While suitable for various registers, it is most frequently found in "News & Media", "Science", and "Academia", making it a versatile choice for clear and purposeful communication. Remember to maintain consistent verb tenses to avoid common errors and ensure your writing remains precise and effective.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

with the intention that he

Clearly expresses the intended outcome or goal of an action.

in order for him to

Replaces "so that" with "in order for", creating a more formal tone and explicitly stating the intended recipient of the action.

so as to allow him to

Adds emphasis on the act of permitting or granting someone the freedom to act.

to enable him to

Emphasizes the act of enabling or empowering someone through a specific action.

in such a way that he

Highlights the specific manner or method employed to achieve a particular result.

with the aim of him

Highlights the desired outcome or goal that someone seeks to achieve.

for the purpose of him

Directly states the intention or objective behind an action.

for him to be able to

Focuses on facilitating someone's capacity or potential to do something.

to the end that he

Uses a more formal and somewhat archaic phrase to indicate purpose.

that he might

Uses a more archaic or literary structure to convey the same purpose.

FAQs

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

Use "so that he" to indicate the purpose or reason for an action. For example, "He studied diligently "so that he" could pass the exam".

What are some alternatives to using "so that he"?

Alternatives include phrases like "in order for him to", "to enable him to", or "that he might", depending on the desired level of formality and emphasis.

Is there a difference between "so that he" and "in order to"?

"So that he" specifies the subject who benefits from the action, while "in order to" expresses a general purpose. Consider "He exercised "so that he" would become healthier" versus "He exercised in order to become healthier".

Which is correct: "so that he can" or "so he can"?

Both are grammatically correct, but "so that he can" is more explicit and formal. "So he can" is a more concise and informal alternative.