so that可以用来引导目的状语从句，相当于in order that, 目的状语从句里常用情态动词may, can, might或could表示目的。如：

 

I shall write down your name so that I can keep in touch with you later on.

 

They climbed higher so that they might get a better view.

 

上两句中的so that都可以替换成in order that。在现代英语中，这样使用时，so that中的so还可以省略，以上面的第二句为例，可以改写为：

 

They climbed higher in order that they might get a better view.

 

They climbed higher that they might get a better view.

 

so that也可以用来引导结果状语从句。虽有似曾相识的感觉，不能把目的状语从句和结果状语从句混淆。比较下面两个句子的意义和结构，就很容易区别了。

 

He spoke at the top of his voice so that the students at the back could hear him. 他说话声音很高，为的是后面的同学能听见。(目的状语从句）

 

He spoke at the top of his voice, so that the students at the back heard him. 他说话声音很高，结果后面的同学都听见了。(结果状语从句)

 

so that引导的结果状语从句一般要用逗号和主句隔开，从句里没有表目的的情态动词may, can, might或could。

 

总之，无论so that引导目的状语从句，还是引导结果状语从句，都通常位于句中，而不置于句首。