So that + Present Simple or + Will ?

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Jesusengland

#506593 Mon, 28 Apr 08 03:30 PM

Hello.

I can't understand when we have to use The present simple and when Will in a purpose or result clause (So that) if the main clause refers to the present.

Thanks.

Jesusengland

Joined on Wed, Jan 9 2008

Spain

Full Member (111)

Clauses, Present simple

Ant_222

#506602 Mon, 28 Apr 08 03:58 PM

Can you provide some sentences wherein you're not sure which tense to use?

As a general rule, use Past Simple when referring to the present and future simple — to the future. But since the former extends naturally into the latter, these tenses are sometimes interchaneable.
"Lock the door so that nobody can bother us."
"Lock the door so that nobody bothers us."
"Lock the door so that nobody will bother us."
"I have re-bound the book so that it opens flat easily."
"I have re-bound the book so that it won't fall apart when opened flat"

This is only my humble opinion that may need serious correction.

EDIT:Are they both ok?:
1. "Enable coockies so that you don't have to log in every time",
2. "Enable coockies so that you won't have to log in every time"

Looks like it makes a difference whether it's a clause of purpose or of consequence...

Ant_222

Joined on Sun, May 21 2006

Podolsk, Russia

Contributing Member (1,547)

Tenses, Clauses, Past simple, Present simple, Log in

Goodman

#506620 Mon, 28 Apr 08 04:31 PM

When we make mistakes, we have to reflect on what we did wrong so that we can avoid making the same mistake again.

We need to learn to be financially responsible so that we don’t get caught up in the credit debt trap.

I want to learn English so that I can find a better job.

Whenever we have a situation where we have to achieve plan A to get to plan B, or we have to do something in order to achieve something more significant, we can use the “so that”, clause.

Goodman

Joined on Mon, Nov 7 2005

Calif. USA

Senior Member (3,207)

The name says it all!

Clauses, Present simple, Learn English

Kooyeen

#506670 Mon, 28 Apr 08 06:29 PM

Ant_222
EDIT:Are they both ok?:
1. "Enable coockies so that you don't have to log in every time",
2. "Enable coockies so that you won't have to log in every time"

I would say they are. If you enable them, you don't have to log in every time. If you enable them, you won't have to log in every time. Same meaning. With the future it seems more like you are giving advice, with the present it sounds more like a general fact. Smile