Complex Sentences with Purpose Clauses
why?
Indicative
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I must hurry up so that I will/ can catch the train.
Ann was in a hurry so that she could/ would catch the train.
Ann was in a hurry so that she wouldn’t/ shouldn’t miss the train.
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Suppositional Mood
In present-time situations use present simple indicative or can/will + infinitive.
has done can
Smb does smth so that smb will do smth
will do
You should keep milk in a fridge so that it stays fresh.
Advice is given so that students will choose the best courses.
Les has bought a video camera so that he can film his holiday.
In past-time situations use could/would + infinitive.
had to do could
Smb did smth so that smb would do smth
She gave up her job so that she could take care of her mother.
I gave Sam my address so that he would contact me.
The suppositional mood may be used in negative sentences but the indicative mood is also possible.
Smb did smth so that smb shouldn’t do smth
wouldn’t/ couldn’t
He dyed his beard so that we shouldn’t recognize him.
The suppositional mood is always used after the conjunction ‘lest’
Smb did smth lest smb should do smth
He didn’t dare to leave the house lest somebody recognize him.
Ex. 1 a) Read the article about Mr. Roy Miller and note the use of purpose clauses. What did he do and why?
Journalist: Well, I'm very impressed by all the work you've done on your house, Mr Miller. How long have you been working on it?
Mr Miller: I first became interested in do-it-yourself several years ago. My son Paul is disabled and I just had to make alterations to the house.
Journalist: Had you had any experience of this kind of work?
Mr M: No. I got a few books but they didn't help. Then I decided to go to evening classes so that I could learn basic carpentry and electrics.
Journalist: What sort of changes did you make to the house?
Mr M: First of all, practical things to help Paul. You never really realize the problems handicapped people have until it affects your own family. Most buildings have steps up to the door. They don't plan buildings so that disabled people can get in and out. We used to live in a flat. It was totally unsuitable. We needed a large house with wide corridors so that Paul could get from one room to another. We didn't have much money and we had to buy a house in a very bad state of repair.
Journalist: Where did you begin?
Mr M: The electrics. I completely rewired the house so that Paul could reach all the switches. I had to lower the light switches and raise the power-points. I went on to do the whole house so that Paul could reach things and go where he wanted.
Journalist: What else did you do?
Mr M: By the time I'd altered everything for Paul, do-it-yourself had become a hobby. Look, I even installed smoke-alarms.
Journalist: What was the purpose of that?
Mr M: I was very worried about fire. You see, Paul can't move very quickly. I fitted them so that we would have plenty of warning if there were a fire. I put in a complete burglar-alarm system. It took weeks. The front door opens automatically, and I'm going to put a device on Paul's wheelchair so that he'll be able to open and close it when he wants.
Journalist: What are you working on now?
Mr M: I've just finished the kitchen. I've designed it so that he can reach everything. Now I'm building an extension so that Paul will have a large room on the ground floor where he can work. Now I'm hoping to start my own business so that I can convert ordinary houses for disabled people. I think I've become an expert on the subject.
b) These are some of the things Mr Miller did. Look at the chart. In pairs ask questions with Why? and answer them.
Improvement |
Purpose |
swing gate, swing doors widen the doors phones in every room special bathroom remove the steps, put in ramps |
Paul/ to use the handles The wheel-chair/ get through. Paul/ always get to one. Paul/ use it. The wheel-chair/ get in and out. |
c) Here are some of the things Mr Miller is going to do. Ask questions and answer them.
Improvement |
Purpose |
a device on his wheelchair install a lift convert mini-bus with a ramp design a 'Weeper' |
He/ to open and close the front door He/ to get upstairs on his own He/ to get in and out He/ call me at any time |
d) Imagine the problems a disabled person would have in the building of the university. What needs to be done so that a person in a wheel chair can become a student of this university? What needs to be done so that disabled people won’t feel like social outcasts?
Ex. 3. Combine two sentences so as to use purpose clauses. Use ‘should’ where possible.
E.g.: 1. He killed the men who helped him to bury the treasure. He wanted nobody but himself to know where it was. – He killed the men who helped him to bury the treasure so that nobody but himself should/ would know where it was.
The airfield authorities have put arc lights over the damaged runway.
They want repair work to continue day and night.
He wore a false beard. He didn't want anyone to recognize him.
They talked in whispers. They didn't want me to overhear them.
I am insuring my life. I want my children to have something to live on if I am killed.
Please shut the gate. I don't want the cows to get out of the field.
He telephoned from a public call-box. He didn't want the call to be traced lo his own address.
I am putting nets over my strawberry plants. I don't want the birds to eat all the strawberries.
We put bars on the windows. We didn't want anyone to climb in.
The notices are written in several languages. The government wants everyone to understand them.
We built the roof with a steep slope. We wanted the snow to slide off easily.
I put my address on my dog's collar. I want anyone who finds him to know where he comes from.
I have put wire over my chimney-pots. I don't want birds to build nests in them.
He chained up the lion at night. He didn't want it to frighten anyone.
The manufacturers have made the taps of their new gas cooker very stiff. They don't want young children to be able to turn them on.
Ex. 4. Say it in English.
1. Не дозволяй дитині грати з моїми окулярами, щоб вона їх не зламала. 2. Дебати щодо освіти відклали, щоб уряд міг обговорити кризи в промисловості. 3. Поліцейській зупиняв рух що декілька хвилин, щоб перехожі могли перейти вулицю. 4. Не дозволяй дітям грати з сірниками, щоб вони не підпалили себе. (set themselves on fire.) 5. Коли Біл йшов лісом, він робив зарубки на деревах (marked the trees), щоб інші знали, куди він пішов. (which way he had gone) 6. Виключи плиту, щоб м’ясо не підгоріло. 7. Грабіжник перерізав дроти телефону (the telephone wires), щоб а не подзвонив в поліцію. 8. Вона зав’язала коту дзвіночок на шію, щоб пташки чули, коли він наближається. 9. На літаку є парашути, щоб екіпаж міг врятуватись у випадку пожежі. 10. Вона побудувала високу стіну навколо свого саду, щоб її фрукти не крали.