So and so that

[vietnamhrm]

Dear Teachers,

Could you help me distinguish between "so" and "so that"?

Thanks

[Casiopea]

Welcome.

So and so that differ in this way:

So that (often shortened to so) answers the question Why:

[1] Max ate dinner early so that she could go for a run.

Let's test it
Question: Why did Max eat dinner early?Answer: So that she could go for a run.

[2] Max ate dinner early so (that) she could go for a run.

Let's test it
Question: Why did Max eat early?
Answer: So (that) she could go for a run.

Elsewhere use , so. (Note the comma (,) there. It's important. , so means, and so, as a consequence, consequently, therefore):

[3] Max ate dinner early, so she could go for a run.

Let's test it
Max ate dinner early; therefore she could go for a run.

Does that help?

Try here, http://www.chompchomp.com/handouts/commatip07.pdf