Every action has a goal. You eat to stop hunger. You study to learn. But sometimes, you want to be extra clear about your goal. You use special phrases. 'In order to' and 'so as to' are your "Purpose Planners." They help you explain exactly why you are doing something. Let's learn how to use these clear and formal tools.
What Are 'Purpose Planners'?
These are phrases that show the reason or purpose for an action. They answer the question "Why?" They are a bit more formal than just using 'to'. They make the goal very obvious. At home, you might say, "I am saving money in order to buy a new game." The goal is clear. At the playground, a sign might say, "Walk slowly so as to not slip." The purpose is safety. In school, "We read the instructions carefully in order to understand the task." The reason is clear. In nature, "Birds migrate south in order to find warmer weather." The purpose is survival. These planners add clarity and a touch of formality.
Why Are These Planners So Valuable?
Using expressions of purpose makes you a precise and thoughtful communicator. It helps your ears, your voice, your reading eyes, and your writing hand.
First, it helps your listening. You hear a teacher say, "Please be quiet so as to not disturb others." You immediately understand the important reason. In a science show, the host might say, "The robot was built in order to explore Mars." You catch the main mission. You learn to listen for reasons and goals in explanations.
Next, it makes your speaking and writing very clear and deliberate. You can give reasons politely. "I'm calling in order to ask a question." This sounds more formal than "I'm calling to ask." You can write clear rules. "Please line up so as to enter the hall safely." Your instructions are easy to follow. People understand your intentions perfectly.
Then, it gives you a reading superpower. You read a manual. It says, "Connect the wires in order to complete the circuit." You know the next step has a specific goal. This helps you understand processes and instructions in textbooks. You can follow the logic of why things are done.
Finally, it makes your writing, especially for school, more structured and mature. Your essays and reports sound professional. Instead of writing "We did an experiment to see the result," you can write "The experiment was conducted in order to observe the chemical reaction." Your writing shows you can think about causes and purposes.
Meet the Two Purpose Planners
Let's meet the two planners. They are very similar and can often be used in the same way.
First, the Clear Goal Setter: In Order To. This is the most common and versatile planner. It is used to express a positive or negative purpose. The structure is: Action + in order to + base verb + goal. Look at these examples. At home: "I tidied my room in order to find my lost toy." At the playground: "We formed a team in order to win the game." In school: "She raised her hand in order to answer." In nature: "The flower opens in order to attract bees."
Now, the Formal Goal Setter: So As To. This planner is a bit more formal. It is often used in written instructions or formal speech. It is very common in the negative form: 'so as not to'. The structure is: Action + so as to + base verb + goal. Look at these examples. At home: "Speak quietly so as not to wake the baby." (Negative purpose). At the playground: "He moved aside so as to let others pass." In school: "Check your work so as to avoid mistakes." In nature: "Some animals hide so as to not be seen by predators."
They are very close in meaning. You can often use either. 'In order to' is more common in everyday writing. 'So as to' (especially 'so as not to') is great for warnings and careful instructions.
Your Detective Tool: How to Spot Them
Finding these expressions is easy. Look for the phrases 'in order to' or 'so as to' in a sentence. They are always followed by the base form of a verb (like 'go', 'see', 'learn'). Ask yourself: "Is this phrase explaining the reason for the action before it?" If yes, you've found a purpose planner. The pattern is: [Action Clause] + [in order to/so as to] + [Base Verb Phrase].
How to Use Your Purpose Planners Correctly
Using them is straightforward. First, you have the main action. Then, use your chosen planner. Finally, state the goal with a base verb. Remember, you cannot use a noun after these planners. Do not say "I study in order to good grades." Say "I study in order to get good grades." The formula is: Subject + Verb (Action) + in order to/so as to + Base Verb (Goal). You can also start the sentence with the planner for emphasis. "In order to catch the bus, we must leave now."
Oops! Let's Fix Common Mistakes
Everyone makes mistakes. Let's fix common ones. One big mistake is using 'for' instead of these planners with a verb. A child might write, "I went to the store for buying milk." This is incorrect. Use 'to' or a purpose planner: "I went to the store to buy milk." Or, more formally, "I went to the store in order to buy milk."
Another mistake is using the wrong verb form after the planner. Do not say, "She exercises so as to staying healthy." After 'to' in the planner, always use the base verb. Say, "She exercises so as to stay healthy."
A third mistake is overusing them. In casual conversation, just 'to' is often enough. "I'm eating to live." Using 'in order to' every time can sound too formal. Use them when you want to be very clear or slightly more formal.
Are You Ready for a Planning Challenge?
Test your skills. Think of a chore you do. Explain why you do it using 'in order to'. Now, think of a safety rule at the pool. Explain it using 'so as not to'. Look at a simple sentence: "I wear glasses." Give a reason using 'in order to'. Finally, write a set of three instructions for a new student in your class. Use at least one 'in order to' and one 'so as to'. Be a clear guide!
You Are Now a Purpose Planning Pro
You have learned about expressions of purpose. You know 'in order to' and 'so as to' are your Purpose Planners. They clearly explain why an action is done. You understand they are followed by a base verb. You can use them to make your speaking and writing more precise. You can even fix common errors. You can now explain your goals with clarity.
You can learn many things from this article. You now know that 'in order to' and 'so as to' are expressions used to explain the purpose or reason for an action. You understand that they are more formal than simply using 'to' and are followed by the base form of a verb. You learned that 'so as to' is often used in negative statements ('so as not to') for warnings or careful instructions. You saw how to structure sentences with these expressions and how to avoid common mistakes like using 'for' with a verb. You also know when it's appropriate to use these more formal phrases.
Now, try using your new knowledge in real life. Here are two fun ideas. First, play the "Why Detective" game. For one day, try to explain your actions using 'in order to'. For example, "I'm putting on my shoes in order to go outside." Second, create a "Classroom Helper" poster. Write three rules for being a good helper, each using 'in order to' or 'so as to'. Example: "Return books to the shelf so as to keep the library tidy." Display your poster. Have fun planning with purpose!