"To" vs "so as to"

Question

"To" vs "so as to"

Both "to" and "so as to" are correct, but they are used in different contexts. "To" is more commonly used and is considered more concise, while "so as to" is a bit more formal and emphasizes the purpose or intention behind an action.

Last Updated: April 01, 2024

Use "to" as a preposition to indicate direction, intention, or purpose.

Alternatives:

in order to
for
towards
until
up to

Use "so as to" to emphasize the purpose or intention behind an action. It is more formal and less commonly used than just "to".

Alternatives:

in order to
for the purpose of
with the aim of
for the sake of
with the intention of

Answer 1

To

This is a commonly used preposition in English.

Answer 2

so as to

This is a formal way to express purpose or intention.