I
would like you to talk about the difference between to + infinitive
and in order to + infinitive.
In
these two sentences:
a)
I went to school to study.
b) I went to school in order to study.
(b)
seems to be all right, though perhaps you do not say it.
Roger
Woodham replies:
to…
/ in order to…. / so as to….
You
are right, Gyonggu. If we use in order to it sounds a bit
more formal and explicit than to by itself, but both are
equally possible in both spoken and written English.
They
both convey exactly the same meaning when expressing purpose:
To
cut the tree down, I had to hack through the undergrowth first.
In
order to cut the tree down, I had to hack through the undergrowth
first.
In
order to is normal before a negative infinitive. We do not usually
use to by itself here:
In
order not to oversleep, I set the alarm for seven o’clock.
I
walked very slowly across the room with the drinks in order
not to spill them.
We
can also use so as to instead of in order to and it
carries the same degree of explicitness or formality:
We
moved house last year so as to be closer to our children
and grandchildren.
I
gave him a cheque in advance to ease his financial problems
and so as not to delay the building work.
Before
stative verbslike know, seem, appear,
understand, have, etc, it is more usual to use in
order to or so as to:
I
talked to them both for half an hour so as to have a thorough
understanding of the problem.
I
followed her around all day in order to know whether she
had any intention of meeting him.
So
that.../ in order that ...
These
structures are also frequently used to talk about purpose, although
so that is more common and less formal than in order that.
Note
that these structures are normally used with (modal) auxiliary verbs.
Compare
the following:
He’s
staying on in Australia for nine more months so that he
can perfect his English.
He’s
staying on in Australia for nine more months in order to perfect
his English.
We’re
going to leave by three so that we don’t get stuck in the
rush-hour traffic.
We’re
going to leave by three so as not to get stuck in the rush-hour
traffic.
Jamie
had an afternoon nap so that he wouldn’t fall asleep at
the concert later.
Jamie
had an afternoon nap in order not to fall asleep at the
concert later.
In
order that you may pass the exam, we recommend you read through
all your notes. (Very formal.)
In
order to pass the exam, we recommend you read through all
your notes. (Less formal.)
Note
that in informal colloquial English, that may be omitted
from the so that construction.
Listen
out for this variation, though I wouldn’t recommend that you use
it:
I’ll
come early so we can have a good chat before Denise arrives.
I’ve
bought a video camera so I can film the children as they
grow up.
We
shall wear warm clothes when we go camping in October so
we don’t get cold.
If
you want to practise using some of these words look at our in the You, Meand Us part of our website.
