Mastering the Clause of Purpose (Misplaced Words) is essential for advanced English grammar and writing, ensuring your sentences maintain proper syntax, flow, and logical clarity.
What is a Clause of Purpose in English Grammar?
A clause of purpose is a subordinate clause used to express the objective, intention, or goal behind the action stated in the main clause. In standard English syntax, these dependent clauses typically follow a strict structural rule regarding their position within a sentence to avoid grammatical awkwardness or ambiguity.
When writers accidentally shift these elements to the front of a sentence, it often results in misplaced modifiers or awkward phrasing. For a deeper understanding of how sentence structures shift meaning, you can explore our detailed guide on the Clause of Results (Misplaced Words) to refine your writing skills further.
Where Should a Clause of Purpose Be Placed?
As a fundamental grammar rule, a subordinate clause of purpose should generally be placed after the main clause. Placing it at the beginning alters the natural rhythm and can lead to incorrect sentence construction.
| Grammatical Status | Example Sentence | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| Correct (Right) | He studied hard so that he could pass the exam. | The purpose clause follows the main clause correctly. |
| Incorrect (Wrong) | So that he could pass the exam he studied hard. | Misplacing the purpose clause at the beginning creates a misplaced word error. |
How Do Purpose Phrases Behave in Sentences?
Similar to subordinate clauses, purpose phrases (such as infinitives of purpose or phrases starting with so as to) also follow strict placement rules. They normally reside at the end of the sentence to maintain grammatical correctness.
- Correct: Such arrangements were made, so as to prevent cheating.
- Incorrect: So as to prevent cheating, such arrangements were made.
Common Mistakes to Avoid with Misplaced Purpose Clauses
Writers often make the mistake of front-loading sentences with dependent clauses to sound more formal. However, doing so with a clause of purpose violates standard English sentence structure. Always check that your subordinate clause does not awkwardly precede the action it is modifying.
Key Takeaways
- A clause of purpose explains the why behind an action.
- Always place purpose clauses and purpose phrases at the end of the main clause.
- Avoid putting so that or so as to clauses at the beginning of your sentences to prevent misplaced modifier errors.
Quick Practice
Test your understanding of the Clause of Purpose (Misplaced Words)! Identify which of the following is correct and write your answers in the comments below:
- She woke up early so that she could catch the train.
- So that she could catch the train she woke up early.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main rule for a clause of purpose?
The core rule is that a clause of purpose should almost always follow the main clause rather than leading the sentence, ensuring clear and natural syntax.
Can "so that" be used at the beginning of a sentence?
Starting a sentence with so that clauses is generally considered grammatically awkward or incorrect in standard English writing. It creates a misplaced word issue.
Where do infinitive phrases of purpose go?
Infinitive phrases indicating purpose (like to win the prize or so as to succeed) function best at the end of the sentence following the action they describe.