# "so that" **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [July 29, 2009, 2:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-that/504669 "2009-07-29T14:39:00Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Skammer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skammer/32/143_2.png) [@Skammer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skammer)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2009, 2:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-that/504669/1 "2009-07-29T14:39:00Z")
I’m editing a formal document which contains the sentence, “[Documentation] should be sent as soon as possible so that supplemental pay is not delayed.” Is using _so that_ preferable to just saying _so_? I wanted to change it to, “Documentation should be sent as soon as possible so supplemental pay is not delayed.” But… now that I look at them side by side, it seems that “so that” unambiguously means “in order that;” while “so” could mean “therefore.” Any grammar Nazis around to weigh in? ---
**Author:** ![Keeve](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/f07891/32.png) [@Keeve](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Keeve)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2009, 2:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-that/504669/2 "2009-07-29T14:48:41Z")
Similarly, I’ve long wondered about “based on” vs. “based upon”. There’s gotta be a website which explains these differences. Any ideas? ---
**Author:** ![Hampshire](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hampshire/32/4887_2.png) [@Hampshire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hampshire)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2009, 2:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-that/504669/3 "2009-07-29T14:55:06Z")
How about “Documentation should be sent as soon as possible to avoid supplemental pay being delayed.” ---
**Author:** ![Gary\_T](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/3ec8ea/32.png) [@Gary\_T](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gary_T)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2009, 2:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-that/504669/4 "2009-07-29T14:57:15Z")
> [@Skammer](#): > > But… now that I look at them side by side, it seems that “so that” unambiguously means “in order that;” while “so” could mean “therefore.” This was my first thought. While in context it’s unlikely “so” would be misunderstood, it seems to me it leads to a slight pause for the brain to process it. “So that” is clear, crisp, and not unnecessarily verbose, and would be my choice. ---
**Author:** ![KneadToKnow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kneadtoknow/32/3999_2.png) [@KneadToKnow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KneadToKnow)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2009, 2:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-that/504669/5 "2009-07-29T14:57:39Z")
> [@Hampshire](#): > > How about > “Documentation should be sent as soon as possible to avoid supplemental pay being delayed.” Clearer still: “You get your money when we get our documentation.” 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2009, 3:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-that/504669/6 "2009-07-29T15:06:30Z")
> [@Keeve](#): > > Similarly, I’ve long wondered about “based on” vs. “based upon”. Pretty sure these are exactly synonymous. Same with “so” vs “so that” in meaning “in order that.” It’s just the longer phrases sound a little more formal. While I don’t have any definitive sources, I could find [these notes online:](http://www.fortunecity.com/bally/durrus/153/gramch28.html) > [@](#): > > So or so that > 1. consequently: It was raining, so we did not go out. > 2. in order that: I am saving money > so I can buy a bicycle. > Note: When used with the meaning in order that, so is usually followed by that in formal English. > e.g. I am saving money so that I can buy a bicycle. And a [thread here](http://forum.wordreference.com/showthread.php?t=870483): > [@](#): > > [F]rom what I can find both can be used interchangeably without any issues. So there is no difference between the two. They are idiomatic and do mean the same thing. Those reflect my understanding of the phrases. ---
**Author:** ![Skammer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skammer/32/143_2.png) [@Skammer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skammer)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2009, 3:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-that/504669/7 "2009-07-29T15:21:30Z")
Thanks for the replies. “So that” may be clearer and in any case is not improper, _so_ (therefore) I will keep it.