was so that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was so that" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to explain why something happened or to describe the purpose of an action. For example: "He decided to move to the country was so that he could enjoy the peace and quiet of the countryside."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

"I wasn't smoking marijuana, but her father thought I was, so that was that".

The New York Times

"I'd be worried if there was no response, but there was, so that is comforting.

The Guardian - Sport

This was so that they could become – that splendid word – apotropaic.

Independent

He denied this was so that he could call a snap election.

The Economist

It was so that my younger brothers can have a good life afterwards".

The Guardian

That represented the type of girl that I was, so that worked for me".

The Guardian - Music

This was "so that the members of the cast can be counted".

The Guardian

Ignacio asked him why, and he said it was so that morons would ask.

The Guardian

"The focus of the lawsuit was so that the system would work better for children".

The New York Times

"This was not against anybody, but it was so that all Argentines could live better".

The New York Times

"The reason I became a commando was so that I could save my family," Babawad explained.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Place "was so that" close to the action you're explaining the purpose of for clarity. This avoids confusion about which action the purpose refers to.

Common error

Avoid mixing tenses when using "was so that". Ensure that the tense used after "was so that" aligns with the tense in the main clause to maintain consistency and clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was so that" functions as a subordinating conjunction introducing a clause of purpose. It explains the reason or intention behind a past action or state. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

30%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "was so that" is a grammatically sound phrase used to express the purpose or reason behind a past action. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. It's frequently found in news, media, and scientific contexts. While generally neutral in register, more formal alternatives like "in order that" might be preferred in certain settings. Remember to maintain tense consistency and ensure clarity by positioning it close to the action it explains. By paying attention to these points, you can confidently use "was so that" in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in order that

Formal alternative that indicates purpose, often used in more structured writing.

so as to

Shorter and more concise way to express purpose, suitable for both formal and informal contexts.

with the aim of

Emphasizes the intention behind an action, highlighting a specific goal.

for the purpose of

Formal and emphasizes the specific reason for an action.

to the end that

A more formal, literary alternative emphasizing the result or outcome.

in the hope that

Highlights the desired outcome or expectation.

with the intention of

Focuses on the deliberate planning behind an action.

such that

Indicates a result or consequence, implying a direct relationship.

in order to achieve

Highlights the specific goal being pursued.

as a result of which

More formal and emphasizes the causal relationship between actions.

FAQs

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

You can use "was so that" to explain the purpose or reason behind a past action. For example, "The meeting was postponed "was so that" more team members could attend".

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

Alternatives to "was so that" include "in order that", "so as to", or "with the aim of", depending on the context and level of formality you want to convey.

Is it correct to use "was so that" in formal writing?

While "was so that" is grammatically correct, more formal alternatives like "in order that" or "for the purpose of" might be preferred in highly formal contexts.

What's the difference between "was so that" and "is so that"?

"Was so that" refers to a past action or intention, while "is so that" refers to a present action or intention. For example, "The light was turned off "was so that" the baby could sleep," versus "The light is turned off "is so that" the baby can sleep".