so as to

so as to — idiom

1. used before a verb to state the goal or aim of an action — it tells why someone

1.慣用語B1
釋義

used before a verb to state the goal or aim of an action — it tells why someone does something or why something exists

例句

Tamar booked a taxi so as to arrive at the airport before dawn.

so as to + infinitive showing purpose

The hospital upgraded its equipment so as to provide better care for patients.

so as to + infinitive after institutional subject

同義詞
  • in order to

    more formal and explicit, often used in official or written English

  • to

    shorter and less formal, the everyday way to express purpose

  • so that

    followed by a full clause with subject + verb, not an infinitive

文法句型

so as to + infinitive

so as not to + infinitive

用法筆記

The negative form is 'so as not to + verb' — the word 'not' goes before 'to', not after it. This pattern is common when explaining why someone avoids doing something. 'So as to' is slightly more careful and deliberate in tone than the simple infinitive 'to' for expressing purpose.

常見錯誤

❌She left early so as to she could catch the train.
✅She left early so as to catch the train.
💡'so as to' is followed by a verb, not a full clause.
❌He spoke loudly so as to everyone could hear him.
✅He spoke loudly so that everyone could hear him.' / ✅ 'He spoke loudly so as to be heard by everyone.
💡Use 'so that' with a clause; use 'so as to' with an infinitive.
❌We left early so as to not miss the bus.
✅We left early so as not to miss the bus.
💡In formal English, 'not' goes before 'to', not after it.