so that might

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "so that might" is not correct in standard written English.
It is typically used incorrectly as it lacks a clear subject or verb to complete the thought. Example: "I will adjust the settings so that might improve performance."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

44 human-written examples

I've got my family here, so that might be difficult.

The New York Times - Sports

If so that might involve a long period in the wilderness.

The Economist

"We believe congestion should ease on the Sunday, so that might be the best time to travel, if you can".

The Guardian

"Last Sunday, we raised five hundred dollars, so that might have kept this row of lights on".

The New Yorker

Snippets of erudition floated over from the sci-fi table: "His mentor was Agrippa, so that might even be valid".

The New Yorker

However, John Lewis has a silver one with a Core i7-6567U for £599.99, so that might be worth a look.

The Guardian - Tech

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

15 human-written examples

If so-and-so has a shotgun, and is reloading, and somebody just got killed near so-and-so, that might mean they may be the killer!

WikiHow

So that he might love her more.

The New York Times - Arts

So much so that I might not make another album.

The Guardian - Music

These men waged war so that we might know peace.

The Guardian

They sacrificed so that we might be free.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for grammatically sound construction, substitute "so that might" with clearer alternatives such as "in order that it might" or "so that it may" to ensure a subject and verb are clearly stated.

Common error

Avoid using "so that might" without a clear subject and verb to complete the clause. This often leads to ambiguous or grammatically incorrect sentences. Remember that it needs to be followed by a complete thought. Make sure to check if you can replace the entire phrase with "in order to" or "so that it may" for clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "so that might" functions as a subordinating conjunction introducing a clause of purpose or result. It suggests a potential outcome or reason for an action, although, as noted by Ludwig AI, it often leads to grammatically incomplete sentences.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Science

14%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "so that might" serves to introduce a clause expressing purpose, potential result, or explanation. Ludwig AI identifies the phrase as often leading to grammatically incomplete sentences unless carefully structured. While examples indicate frequent usage across diverse sources like news media, scientific publications, and wikis, grammatical correctness is often disputable and should be assessed. More formal alternatives such as "in order that it may" offer enhanced clarity in the absence of any missing part. Therefore, while widely used, writers should carefully consider the context and strive for structural accuracy to prevent ambiguity and maintain professionalism.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

so it could be

Replaces 'might' with 'could', indicating a similar level of possibility.

so it may be

Substitutes 'might' with 'may', another modal verb expressing possibility.

so it is possible that

Expands on the idea of possibility, making it more explicit.

which could mean

Shifts the focus to the potential implication or result.

thus, there's a chance

Indicates a probability or likelihood of something happening.

as a result, it's possible

Emphasizes the cause-and-effect relationship and the potential outcome.

therefore, it could happen

Highlights the potential for a specific event to occur.

hence, it's conceivable

Uses more formal vocabulary to express the idea of possibility.

accordingly, it is plausible

Introduces a sense of reasonableness or believability.

that could therefore

It highlights that what we have just said will impact in the future, it will create a reaction.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "so that might" to improve clarity?

To improve clarity, consider using phrases like "in order that it may", "so that it could", or "so that it is possible that" depending on the specific context. These alternatives provide a more complete grammatical structure.

Is "so that might" grammatically correct?

While frequently used, "so that might" often lacks a clear subject and verb, making it grammatically questionable. Ludwig AI flags it as potentially incorrect, suggesting that phrases such as "in order that it may", which provide a more complete grammatical structure, may be preferable. Consider rephrasing for enhanced clarity and grammatical correctness.

What is a more formal alternative to "so that might"?

A more formal alternative would be "in order that it may". This phrase provides a clearer and more grammatically sound construction compared to the more colloquial "so that might".

How does the meaning change when using "so that might" versus "in order that"?

While both phrases indicate purpose, "in order that" provides a more explicit and formal connection between the action and its intended result. "So that might", although common, can sometimes be ambiguous if the sentence structure is not carefully constructed.