so that used with may and will

Question

It is already late so help him soon so that he may have the item in his ready to give it to his owner It is already late so help him soon so that he will have the item in his ready to give it to his ownerHelp him to cook the meal that he is trying to cook since past one hour quickly so that he may have the meal ready in his hand to serve it to his father.Help him to cook the meal that he is trying to cook since past one hour quickly so that he will have the meal ready in his hand to serve it to his father.What does so that mean in the above sentence? and What does the sentence will mean to the reader if we use may and will.I have seen people giving different kinds of meaning for so that, please help me understand the concept of so thatThank you

Mister Micawber · Accepted Answer

None of those sentences are even vaguely natural. These are possible:

It is already late, so help him get the item ready for his customer.
Help him cook quickly what he wants to serve to his father.

Now, what is your question?

Wonder123 · Answer

You mean all the sentences above doesn't sound natural?

Let us help this poor guy so that he may complete the clean up task withing the given time frame.
Let us help this kid to complete the drawing so that he may have the drawing ready to present to his sister.

The reason for starting this thread is to understand the concept of so that and how does it effect when it is used along with may and will.

CalifJim · Answer

Wonder123What does so that mean in the above sentence?

Help ... so that ... ~ Help ... in such a manner that your help brings about this desired result ...
Help ... so that ... ~ Help ... because your help brings about this desired result ...
Help ... so that ... ~ Help ... and the purpose of your help is to bring about this desired result ...

so that is used to state the purpose of an action just mentioned. You might say that the so that clause answers the question "Why?"

A variety of modal verbs can be used in the so that clause.

Hold the picture higher so that everyone [will, can, may, might, should]* see it.

The goal is for everyone to see the picture. That's the reason why the command "Hold the picture higher" is given. The purpose of the action of holding the picture higher is to allow everyone to see it.

*listed, more or less, from informal to formal

Wonder123What does the sentence will mean to the reader if we use may and will.

will shows the speaker to be more confident that the desired result will come about. will is closer to saying the result will certainly come about.
may is closer to saying that conditions will be right for the result to come about; it's saying that the result can come about.
There is little difference in the meaning of can, may, might, and should in these constructions. The difference is more a matter of formality. should is by far the most formal and old-fashioned of the group.

CJ

Wonder123 · Answer

Hi CJ, could you please help me fix the sentences?

CalifJim · Answer

Wonder123Hi CJ, could you please help me fix the sentences?

Let us help this poor guy so that he may complete the clean up task withing the given time frame.

Stated in idiomatic English:

Let's help this poor guy so he can finish cleaning up on time.

_________________________________

Let us help this kid to complete the drawing so that he may have the drawing ready to present to his sister.

Stated in idiomatic English:

Let's help this kid finish his drawing so he can give it to his sister.

CJ

Wonder123 · Answer

Thanks a lot.

so that used with may and will

Top answer

Get the Weekly English Kit 📬

Related Questions