So That?

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So That?

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We must develop as quickly as possible technologies that make possible a direct connection between brain and computer, so that artificial brains contribute to human intelligence rather than opposing it.

About 'so that' above, what part does it modify? The entire sentence in front? Or this part only?

We must develop as quickly as possible technologies that make possible a direct connection between brain and computer, so that artificial brains contribute to human intelligence rather than opposing it.

Nov 15 2010 15:32:42

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I think 'so that' in question means 'with the result that'. Then does this make sense:

We must develop as quickly as possible technologies that make possible a direct connection between brain and computer, with the result that artificial brains contribute to human intelligence rather than opposing it.

Nov 15 2010 22:31:30

TakaI think 'so that' in question means 'with the result that'.

No; the meaning is purpose.

TakaThen does this make sense:

We must develop as quickly as possible technologies that make possible a direct connection between brain and computer, with the result that artificial brains contribute to human intelligence rather than opposing it.

On the above analysis, no.

BillJ

Nov 15 2010 23:17:36

My dictionaries say 'so that' without a comma in front means 'with the result that'; if it implies a purpose, then, according to my dictionaries, it doesn't have a comma in front and it has an auxiliary verb in it, as 'so that S can/will etc.'. You don't think it's necessarily the case?

Nov 15 2010 23:26:23

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Oops! I meant to say this:

My dictionaries say 'so that' with a comma in front means 'with the result that'; if it implies a purpose, then, according to my dictionaries, it doesn't have a comma in front...

Sorry about the confusion.

Nov 18 2010 12:13:58

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I think 'so that' in question means 'with the result that'. Then does this make sense:

We must develop as quickly as possible technologies that make possible a direct connection between brain and computer, with the result that artificial brains contribute to human intelligence rather than opposing it.
TakaI think 'so that' in question means 'with the result that'.
No; the meaning is purpose.
TakaThen does this make sense:

We must develop as quickly as possible technologies that make possible a direct connection between brain and computer, with the result that artificial brains contribute to human intelligence rather than opposing it.

On the above analysis, no.

BillJ
My dictionaries say 'so that' without a comma in front means 'with the result that'; if it implies a purpose, then, according to my dictionaries, it doesn't have a comma in front and it has an auxiliary verb in it, as 'so that S can/will etc.'. You don't think it's necessarily the case?
Oops! I meant to say this:

My dictionaries say 'so that' with a comma in front means 'with the result that'; if it implies a purpose, then, according to my dictionaries, it doesn't have a comma in front...

Sorry about the confusion.

BillJ · Accepted Answer · 2010-11-15T18:19

TakaWe must develop as quickly as possible technologies that make possible a direct connection between brain and computer, so that artificial brains contribute to human intelligence rather than opposing it.

About 'so that' above, what part does it modify? The entire sentence in front? Or this part only?

The entire underlined verb phrase in front is being modified by the adjunct (adverbial) clause that I've highlighted.

BillJ

So That?

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