Gethin, 4 – Linking: purpose

Transform the following into sentences expressing purpose:

I won’t shut the door as the dog may want to come in.

-> I won’t shut the door in case the dog wants to come in.

She’s not taking her holiday next week, as she may have to fly to London on business.

-> She’s not taking her holiday next week in case she has to fly to London on business.

Don’t go there as you may fall.

-> Don’t go there in case you fall.

- when the expression of purpose begins negatively, we must use in case for prevention as well as for preparation

 

We’re taking food with us, because we may be home late.

-> We’re taking food with us in case we’re home late.

I thought it might freeze tonight, so I’ve drained the water out of my car.

-> I’ve drained the water out of my car in case it freeezes tonight.

He always uses two alarm clocks, because one of them mightn’t go off.

-> He always uses two alarm clocks in case one of them doesn’t go off.

- when our purpose is to prepare for what may or might happen (because we cannot prevent it), we use only in case, NOT so as not / so that…not

 

My assistant Linda will keep in touch with you; then you’ll know where I am.

-> My assistant Linda will keep in touch with you so that you’ll know where I am.

She always keeps her baby up late. Then he’s really tired by the time she puts him to bed.

-> She always keeps her baby up late so that he’ll be tired by the time she puts him to bed.

Let me know when you’re leaving. Then I can feed your alligator while you’re away.

-> Let me know when you’re leaving so that I can feed your alligator while you’re away.

- a change of subject => so that (or in order that) must be used – without comma, and followed by can/could or will/would

 

I’m leaving early in the morning because I don’t want to be late for work.

-> I’m leaving early in the morning so as not to / in order not to be late for work.

Why don’t you sell that house? Then you wouldn’t have to bother about such things.

-> Why don’t you sell that house so as not to / in order not to have to bother about such things.

Please talk quietly. Otherwise you may wake the baby.

-> Please talk quietly so as not to / in order not to wake the baby.

- the negative link in a sentence where there is no change of subject is so as not to or in order not to; neither link can be shortened

 

 

Purpose – shortened constructions

Transform the following standard constructions with so that into shortened constructions with the full inifinitive, using so as or in order only where necessary:

 

Please send me some samples of your firm’s products so that I can show them to my customers.

-> Please send me some samples of your firm’s products (for me) to show (to) my customers.

Chantel is bringing some books with her this morning so that I can take them to my uncle in hospital.

-> Chantel is bringing some books with her this morning for me to take to my uncle in hospital.

I’m going to put this notice here so that everyone will see it as they walk in.

-> I’m going to put this notice here for everyone to see as they walk in.

I’ll get you a bag so that you can carry all those heavy things.

-> I’ll get you a bag to carry all those heavy things in.

Please give me a nail so that I can hang this picture up.

->Please give me a nail to hang this picture up with.

 

Sheila sent her son out so that she could get some peace.

-> Sheila sent her son out so as to / in order to get some peace. 

My parents sent me to Britain so that they could learn English from me afterwards.

-> My parents sent me to Britain so as to / in order to (be able to) learn English from me afterwards.

We always leave our kids at our neighbours‘ so that we can do the shopping undisturbed.

-> We always leave our kids at our neighbours‘ so as to / in order to do the shoppping undisturbed.

- when the subjects in the standard construction are the same, we have to add so as (or in order) to the full infinitive in order to avoid being misunderstood  (by contrast, when the subjects in the standard construction are different, we may use only the full infinitive in the shortened construction)