The ‘so that’ structure is a crucial grammatical pattern frequently appearing in IELTS examinations, used to express purpose or intended result. Understanding how to use this structure effectively can significantly enhance your IELTS performance across all sections.
For those seeking comprehensive guidance on this topic, Sentences with “so that” provides detailed examples and explanations.
IELTS examples using so that structure
Basic Structure and Usage
The basic formula for using ‘so that’ is:
Main clause + so that + subject + modal verb/can/could + verb
Examples:
- “I wake up early so that I can prepare for my IELTS exam.”
- “The government invested in public transport so that citizens could travel more efficiently.”
- “She studied pronunciation carefully so that she would perform better in the speaking test.”
Use of ‘so that’ for purpose offers more detailed insights into purposeful applications.
Application in IELTS Writing
Task 2 Essays
When writing IELTS essays, ‘so that’ helps create complex sentences that demonstrate advanced grammar usage:
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Topic: Environmental Protection
“Governments should implement stricter regulations so that companies will reduce their carbon emissions.” -
Topic: Education
“Universities should provide practical training so that students can gain real-world experience.”
IELTS Writing Task examples with so that structure
Speaking Test Implementation
Learn to use Use of ‘so that’ + modal verb effectively in speaking tasks:
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Part 2 (Cue Card):
“I organized my schedule carefully so that I could balance work and study.” -
Part 3 (Discussion):
“People should learn multiple languages so that they can communicate internationally.”
Common Mistakes to Avoid
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Double Modal Error:
❌ “She studies hard so that she will can pass.”
✓ “She studies hard so that she can pass.” -
Tense Confusion:
❌ “They built the bridge so that people will cross.”
✓ “They built the bridge so that people could cross.”
So long as provides additional context for avoiding confusion with similar structures.
Band Score Enhancement
To achieve higher band scores (7+):
- Combine with other complex structures
- Use appropriate modal verbs
- Maintain subject consistency
Example (Band 8):
“The implementation of technological solutions in classrooms has been accelerated so that students can adapt to the digital era, while simultaneously ensuring traditional learning methods aren’t completely abandoned.”
Remember to practice these structures regularly in your IELTS preparation to achieve natural fluency and accuracy in both speaking and writing tasks.
