Clauses of purpose compared with clauses of result

In a purpose clause we can always replace so that by in order that

which we cannot do in a result clause:

We arrived early so that (or in order that) we could/should/ might/would get good seats (i.e. we arrived early for that purpose) We arrived early so (that) we got good seats (i.e. we got good seats as a result of arriving early) Or: We arrived so early that we got good seats

A further difference is that a result clause always follows the main

clause, whereas a purpose clause can precede the main clause: So that I shouldn't worry he phoned me on arrival

In the spoken language there are differences in intonation between so

that (purpose) and so that (result).

1.53 Adverbial clauses of comparison [compare > 4.7.3, 6.27.1]

These clauses often answer How? followed by or implying in relation to or compared with (How quick is he in relation to/compared with ^?). They involve the use of as + adjective + as (as quick as), as + adverb + as (as quickly as) not so/as as -er than, more than, less than 'the. the. When continuing with the same verb in the same tense, we can omit the second verb, so the clause of comparison is implied:

He is as quick in answering as his sister (is)

He answers as quickly as his sister (does)

He is not so/as quick in answering as his sister (is)

His sister is quicker than he (is)

He moves more slowly than his sister (does)

The more you practise the better you get There are instances when we can drop both subject and verb:

When I spoke to him on the phone this morning, he was more

agreeable than (he was) last night

Adverbial clauses of comparison can involve the use of as (or so) much + noun + as and as many + noun + as. Words like half, nearly and nothing like will often combine with as or so:

He didn t sell half as/so many videos as he thought he would Words like just, twice/ten times will combine only with as: