Sometimes I have difficulty clearly seeing the causal realtionship as to decide properly on the issue of whether to put a comma before the word 'so' or not. Help. I think the 1st sentence shows a clear causal relationship but not the second and the third sentences. Do you have some tips I can follow to develop an eye to see clearly?
1. He saved money so he can pay for his college education.
2. His parents are poor, so he is sad.
3. His parents are rich, so he is happy.
1. He saved money so he can pay for his college education.
2. His parents are poor, so he is sad.
3. His parents are rich, so he is happy.
Comments
Others will have more to say, I am sure. I'm better at examples than I am at rules.
If you can replace it with "that's why", then a comma.
An action is done so (that) a goal will be reached.
(The action is done [with the intention of / for the purpose of] reaching the goal.)
A state of affairs exists, so this results (as the consequence of it).
(The result follows naturally; the state of affairs does not exist for the purpose of creating the result.)
In the first pattern, you can add that: so that ...
In the second, you cannot add that.
CJ
Let me apply your way of thinking to the original sentences and please tell me if they make sense.
1. He saved money so he can pay for his college education.
He saved money so (that) he can pay for his college education.
2. His parents are poor, so he is sad.
His parents are poor, so (that???) he is sad. (Can we add the word "that" here? I think not because no purpose is to be found here.)
3. His parents are rich, so he is happy.
Ditto.
I think Pienne said if I replace with "that's why," then a comma and that seems to work very well for No 2 and 3, but I thought if there is a causal relationship (as the consequesnce of it, as you put it), that is a "if-because" relationship, then no comma is necessary, so according to you and Pienne, my thinking was wrong.
Sorry if my question isn't written clearly.