2015-08-21
496
When the verb in the main clause is in the present, present perfect or future, so that and in order that can be followed by may can or will So that is more common than in order that
I ve arrived early so that/in order that I may/can/will get a good
view of the procession
1 The sentence
So that and in order that may also be followed by the present: Let us spend a few moments in silence so that/in order that we remember those who died to preserve our freedom
When the verb in the main clause is in the simple past, the past progressive, or the past perfect, so that and in order that are followed by should could might or would:
I arrived early so that/in order that I should/could/might/would get a good view of the procession
Note the negative after so that and in order that: I arrived early so that/in order that I might not miss anything (Should not and would not would be possible, but not could not)
Infinitive constructions with not to so as not to and in order not to are
more natural [> 16.12.1]: / arrived early so as not to miss anything They must have worn gloves in order not to leave any fingerprints
1.51.3 'In case', 'lest' and 'for fear'
Should might or the present must be used after in case when there is a future reference:
We ve installed an extinguisher next to the cooker in case there is
ever (there should/might ever be) a fire
I'm taking a raincoat with me in case I need it. Should is optional after (the relatively rare) lest:
We have a memorial service every year lest we (should) forget
our debt to those who died in battle (i.e. so that/in order that we
might not forget...) The subjunctive [> 11.75.1 n 2] could also be used after lest:
I avoided mentioning the subject lest he be offended
I asked them to ring first lest we were out
For fear is usually followed by might, but the same idea can be
expressed more easily with in case + past: / bought the car at once for fear (that) he might change his mind I bought the car at once in case he changed his mind
