Using “in order to” in English



USING “IN ORDER TO” ( AS A CONJUNCTION ) IN ENGLISH

There are various ways to express purpose or reason in English. One of them is “In Order To”

Especially while writting English, we can use the structure of “in order to” to declare our goal or purpose. We can say that it is used to explain why an action is done. In this way, we connect two sentences each other. 

Namely;

  • “in order to” is a conjunction ( a subordinating conjunction ) which is used to join two clauses. ( one of them expresses an action, the other expresses the purpose )
  • “in order to” is used before the clause which indicates the purpose ( subordinating clause ).
  • “in order to” is used with non-finite verbs in subordinate clauses ( this kind of clause can be called “non-finite clause” or “infinitive clause”).
  • “in order to” is used if  subjects of two clauses are the same.
  • “in order to” can be used at the beginning of a sentence ( subordinate clause can come before main clause ).



ATTENTION:

Non-finite ( Infintive ) clause includes a verb/non-finite verb which does not show any tense. Non-finite verbs are used only in subordinate clauses. We can understand the time or tenses referred to from the context of the main clause. Non-finite clause is used when the subject is the same as the subject in the main clause.

A ( Main) Clause ( Action ) + In Order To + A ( Infinitive ) Clause ( Purpose )





You can see many examples related to using “in order to” below;

Examples:

  •    I will do my best in order to teach you English.
  •    He got up early in order to catch the plane.
  •    In order to be rich, you must use your mind.
  •    I will go to England in order to improve my english.
  •   They met in order to get information from each other about the project.
  •    I went to shopping in order to buy a new jeans.
  •    In order to play the game, we must have two computers.
  •    We will save money in order to buy a new house.



ATTENTION 1:

When we want to make infinitive clause negative or negative infinitive ( in other words, the negative form of “in order to” );

we use “in order not to”

Examples:

  •    She worked hard in order not to fail at the class.
  •    In order not to be angry, I will do my best.

NOTE:

Please pay attention to the position of “not” in the structure. “not” comes before “to”.

ATTENTION 2:

“in order to” can be used at the beginning of a sentence. 

Example:

  •     In order to play the game, we must have two computers.



ATTENTION 3:

“in order to” is commonly used before stative verbs ( like be, have, know, appear, seem, understand, etc.).

Examples:

  •    I listened carefully in order to understand what you said.
  •    He works a lot in order to have a good job.

For using “so that” to express purpose in english click here

For using “in order that” to express purpose in english click here

For using “so as to” to express purpose in english click here

For using “to” to express purpose in english click here

For “to” vs ” in order to” vs “so as to” click here