IV–V. CLAUSES OF PURPOSE AND OF RESULT
403. A subordinate clause may express purpose or result.
I. Clauses of Purpose
- These men died that we might live.
- I will take care that you are not harmed.
- John worked day and night that the plans might be ready in time.
- We threw our ballast overboard, so that the airship might clear the treetops.
- All our arrangements have been made with the utmost precision, in order that the ship may be launched promptly and without accident.
II. Clauses of Result
- He has recovered his strength, so that he can now work.
- The town stood at the foot of the volcano, so that every building was destroyed.
- Quentin started so suddenly that he almost dropped his weapon.
- His rancor against the duke was so apparent that one saw it in the first half-hour’s conversation.
- Their minds were so much embittered that they imputed to each other nothing less than deliberate villany.
- You make such a noise that I cannot hear the music.
404. Clauses of purpose may be introduced by the subordinate conjunction that or by a phrase containing it (so that, in order that, to the end that, etc.).
Negative clauses of purpose may be introduced by that ... not or by lest. For lest with the subjunctive, see [§ 284].
- Take heed lest thou fall.
- I feared lest I might anger thee.—Shakspere.
405. Clauses of result may be introduced by the phrase so that, consisting of the adverb so and the subordinate conjunction that; or by that alone, especially when so, such, or some similar word stands in the main clause.