In Order to vs. So As

Attribute	In Order to	So As
Meaning	Expresses purpose or intention	Expresses purpose or intention
Usage	Formal and more commonly used	Less formal and less commonly used
Position in sentence	Usually placed at the beginning of a sentence	Can be placed at the beginning or end of a sentence
Conjunction	Does not require a conjunction	Often used with "that" as a conjunction

Definition

Both "in order to" and "so as" are used to express purpose or intention in a sentence. They are often used to explain why someone does something or to indicate the reason behind an action. While they serve a similar purpose, there are some differences in how they are used and the nuances they convey.

Usage

One key difference between "in order to" and "so as" is their formality. "In order to" is considered more formal and is often used in written English or formal speech. On the other hand, "so as" is more informal and is commonly used in spoken English or casual writing. This difference in formality can impact the tone and style of a sentence.

Structure

Another difference between the two phrases is their structure. "In order to" is followed by a verb in the infinitive form, while "so as" is followed by a verb in the base form. For example, you would say "I studied hard in order to pass the exam" but "I studied hard so as to pass the exam." This difference in structure can affect the flow and clarity of a sentence.

Emphasis

When it comes to emphasis, "in order to" tends to place more emphasis on the purpose or goal of an action. It highlights the intention behind the action and makes it clear to the reader or listener. On the other hand, "so as" is more focused on the result or outcome of the action. It emphasizes the end goal rather than the intention behind it.

Conciseness

While both "in order to" and "so as" can be used to express purpose, "so as" is often considered more concise and direct. It gets straight to the point and conveys the purpose of an action in a more straightforward manner. In contrast, "in order to" can sometimes come across as more wordy or formal, depending on the context.

Examples

Here are some examples to illustrate the differences between "in order to" and "so as":

• I woke up earlyin order to catch the first train.
• I woke up earlyso as to catch the first train.
• She saved moneyin order to buy a new car.
• She saved moneyso as to buy a new car.

Conclusion

While both "in order to" and "so as" serve a similar purpose in expressing intention or purpose, they have distinct differences in terms of formality, structure, emphasis, conciseness, and usage. Understanding these differences can help you choose the right phrase for your writing or speech, depending on the tone and style you want to convey. Whether you opt for the formal elegance of "in order to" or the casual simplicity of "so as," both phrases can add clarity and purpose to your communication.