A formal purpose clause gives the intended reason for an action.

The idea

Follow in order that with a subject and a verb, often with a modal such as can, could, may or might. Choose the modal for the time and meaning.

Examples

  • The council published the plan in order that residents could comment before the vote.
  • Mina labelled the jars in order that her colleagues might identify the samples easily.
  • The museum provides large print in order that more visitors can read the labels.
  • We left a map at reception in order that late arrivals would find the meeting room.
  • The school is adjusting the timetable in order that students may have more time for lunch.
  • The technician saved a backup in order that the team could restore the data if necessary.

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Watch out

Do not put an infinitive immediately after in order that: the clause needs a subject. For an infinitive, use in order to instead.

Try it yourself

  1. Choose the correct option. The guide spoke slowly in order that everyone ___ follow. (could / to)

    Show answer or example answer

    could

    could expresses the listeners’ ability in the past.

  2. Choose the correct option. The archive digitised the letters in order that researchers ___ read them remotely. (could / to)

    Show answer or example answer

    could

    could presents remote reading as possible after the archive’s action.

  3. Choose the correct option. The notice is displayed in order that visitors ___ find the entrance. (can / to)

    Show answer or example answer

    can

    can presents finding the entrance as a present possibility.

Use it today

Write a formal sentence explaining why a community changed a service.