Episode 77: So That Future Generations…

so that/in order to/in case — Constitution Writers, 1787 (B1-B2)

Grammar Box

Meaning: These phrases express purpose and preparation. “So that” and “in order to” show purpose/intention (why we do something). “In case” shows preparation for possible situations (what might happen).

Form: So that + subject + can/could/will/would + verb. In order to + infinitive. In case + subject + verb. Each structure shows different aspects of planning.

Example 1: “They wrote checks and balances into the Constitution so that no single person could gain absolute power.” (Purpose.)

Example 2: “The founders debated for months in order to create a lasting framework for democracy.” (Purpose with infinitive.)

Common mistake: Wrong: “They wrote it so that to protect freedom.” Better: “They wrote it so that it would protect freedom” or “They wrote it in order to protect freedom.” (So that + clause; in order to + infinitive.)

The Challenge

Luna read about the Constitution. “Professor, why do people say ‘so that future generations would benefit’ instead of just ‘to benefit future generations’? And what’s ‘in case’ for? Aren’t they all about future planning?”

The watch glowed with foundational importance. Professor Wisdom appeared with serious dignity. “These structures help us distinguish between purpose, intention, and preparation. Let me show you a group of men who thought deeply about all three while creating a government that still functions today.”

The Journey

Philadelphia, summer 1787. Independence Hall, where 55 delegates had gathered in strict secrecy in order to revise the failing Articles of Confederation. They locked the doors and windows so that their debates could be frank without outside pressure, even though it meant sweltering in Philadelphia’s brutal summer heat. They took vows of secrecy in case their discussions became public and caused panic before solutions emerged.

These were men whose average age was 42, though Benjamin Franklin, at 81, attended daily in order to lend his wisdom and credibility to the proceedings. They had fought a revolution so that Americans could govern themselves, but now they faced the challenge of creating a government that would last. They debated structure carefully in case future leaders proved corrupt. They built in checks and balances so that power would be distributed, not concentrated.

They faced disagreements that nearly destroyed the convention. Large states wanted representation by population so that their size would give them influence. Small states demanded equal representation in case the large states dominated completely. They compromised, creating two houses: one so that population would matter, one so that states would be equal. They added the Bill of Rights in order to protect individual freedoms, and included amendment processes in case future generations needed to adapt the document.

James Madison took detailed notes every day in order to preserve the debates for history, even though publication wasn’t planned for decades. He sat near the front so that he could hear clearly, writing in shorthand in case he fell behind. The delegates spoke carefully, knowing their words would be examined by future scholars who would try to understand the founders’ original intent.

They added provisions they hoped would never be needed. They created impeachment processes in case a president became tyrannical. They allowed for military oversight so that armies couldn’t become tools of dictatorship. They separated church and state in order to prevent religious warfare. They built flexibility into the system so that it could evolve while maintaining core principles.

The summer air smelled of ink and urgency, of decisions made carefully in order to affect centuries of future lives. You could hear the scratch of quills recording debates that would shape a nation, the arguments presented forcefully so that every concern could be addressed, the quiet discussions held during breaks in case compromises could be found privately. These men worked in Philadelphia’s heat in order to create something unprecedented: a democratic republic designed so that it could endure.

The Deep Dive

So that expresses purpose with a full clause: “so that + subject + modal verb (can/could/will/would) + base verb.” It answers “why?” or “for what purpose?”: “I studied hard so that I could pass the exam.” The modal verb is crucial and shows the intended result.

In order to expresses purpose with an infinitive: “in order to + base verb.” It’s more formal than simple “to”: “I studied in order to pass” is more formal than “I studied to pass,” but both are correct. Use it when you want to emphasize purposeful intention or in formal writing.

In case shows preparation for possible situations, not purpose: “I brought an umbrella in case it rains.” This means “because it might rain,” not “because I want it to rain.” The structure is “in case + subject + verb” (present tense for future possibilities, past tense for past possibilities). Don’t confuse with “so that” — they’re different. “I locked the door so that thieves couldn’t enter” (purpose) versus “I locked the door in case thieves came” (preparation for possibility).

More Examples

History: “The founders created separation of powers so that no branch could dominate, and they added amendments in case future needs required changes.”

Science: “Scientists document procedures carefully in order to allow replication, and they preserve samples in case future technology reveals new information.”

Everyday: “I set three alarms so that I wouldn’t oversleep, and I prepared my clothes the night before in case I woke up late anyway.”

Formal: “The committee revised the policy so that implementation would be clearer, and established review processes in case unforeseen problems emerged.”

Informal: “I’m leaving early so that I can avoid traffic, and I’ve got GPS on my phone in case I get lost somewhere.”

Contrast: “I saved money so that I could buy a house” (purpose — I want to buy) vs. “I saved money in case I lost my job” (preparation — I might lose it, hope not).

Practice & Reflection

Exercises:

1. Fill in the blank: “The founders wrote checks and balances _ no branch could become too powerful, and they created amendment processes ___ future changes were needed.”

2. Correct the mistake: “They debated for months so that to create a lasting government that would protect freedom.”

3. Choose and explain: Which shows preparation for a possible problem?
   a) “They added impeachment so that corrupt leaders could be removed.”
   b) “They added impeachment in case leaders became corrupt.”

4. Rewrite: Express this using “in order to”: “They met in secret so that they could debate freely without outside pressure.”

5. Compare: What’s the difference? “I’m studying so that I can pass” vs. “I’m studying in case they ask hard questions.”

6. Your reflection: Describe something you’re doing or planning using all three structures (so that, in order to, in case) to show purpose and preparation.

Answer Key:
1. so that… in case (purpose requires “so that”; preparation requires “in case”)
2. Remove “to”: “so that they could create” or change to “in order to create” (so that + clause; in order to + infinitive)
3. (b) shows preparation — “in case” = might happen; (a) shows purpose — “so that” = intended function
4. “They met in secret in order to debate freely” (in order to + infinitive for purpose)
5. First shows purpose (I want to pass); second shows preparation (they might ask, hope they don’t)
6. Check: So that + subject + modal + verb? In order to + infinitive? In case + subject + verb?

The Lesson

Luna wrote thoughtfully. “The founders created the Constitution so that democracy would survive. They worked in secret in order to debate honestly. They added safeguards in case future leaders proved unworthy of trust.”

“Perfect,” Professor Wisdom said. “You’ve captured how they thought about the future in three distinct ways. ‘So that’ shows what they wanted to achieve — their goals and purposes. ‘In order to’ emphasizes their intentional methods. ‘In case’ shows their preparation for problems they hoped wouldn’t happen.”

“So planning requires all three types of thinking?” Luna asked.

“Exactly. Good planning answers: What do I want to happen? (so that/in order to) and What might go wrong? (in case). The founders understood this. They created government so that freedom would be protected. They worked carefully in order to build something lasting. They added checks and balances in case power corrupted future leaders. That combination of purpose and preparation is what made the Constitution endure.”

Luna smiled. “I’m learning these patterns so that I can express complex ideas. I’m practicing in order to improve my English. And I’m taking notes in case I forget the details later.”

“Now you’re thinking like a founder,” the Professor replied.