0

I'm thinking if I "so" can be sometimes used instead of "so that" without losing the meaning of the sentence.

For example:

Can you register me for it SO THAT I could access the blackboard

Can you register me for it SO I could access the blackboard

To my ear both forms sound pretty good, but as English is not my native tongue, I could be wrong.

Improve this question
1
  • 1
    I would have said that "so that" was the 'basic' form in purpose adjuncts like this one. Nevertheless "that" is readily omissible, and according to the graph I looked at, that alternant is more frequent. But both are fine.
    – BillJ
    Commented Sep 6, 2016 at 13:47

2 Answers 2

Reset to default
1

'So that' is a more formal and archaic form. 'So' by itself is the much more commonly used form, and has the same meaning.

Improve this answer
0

The word "that", used as a CONJUNCTION, is frequently omitted from informal speech. (Depending on context "that" can also be used as a PRONOUN, ADVERB, ADJECTIVE or DEFINITE ARTICLE.)

Thus "that" is often left out of such sentences as: "He said that he felt ill."

In your examples, while the meaning of the second sentence is clear, the first sentence (including the word "that") is preferable.

Improve this answer

You must log in to answer this question.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged .