Linkers of purpose and reason

We can use the following linkers to talk about the purpose of an action:

• To/in order (not) to/so as (not) to + infinitive.

I hired a car to tour the island.
I started the website in order to save money.
He went to Alaska so as to experience something new.
He left early in order not to miss his flight home.

• So/so that + clause. We often omit the word that in informal or spoken English. We often use these linkers with can/can't/could/will/won't/wouldn't.

I'd love to go to Alaska so I can have a white Christmas!
He took a notebook so that he could write about his holiday.


We can use the following linkers to talk about the reason for an action or event:

• As/because/since + clause.

As the flight was cancelled, we stayed an extra night.
James started the website because he wanted to travel.
Since the weather was bad, we spent the day at the hotel.

• Because of + noun/noun phrase.

He couldn't go jet-skiing because of the bad weather.