Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums

[akihiko]

I wonder which sentence is grammatically correct.
a. The coat is so made that it buttons all the way to the neck.
b. The coat is made so that it buttons all the way to the neck.

[Harmony]

Hi Akihiko,

The correct choice is The coat is made so that it buttons all the way to the neck.

Harmony

[Felipe Almeida]

The correct sentence is : The coat is so made that it buttons all the way to the neck.

[Lorikeet]

Harmony's choice is the one we would most likely use in the U.S. Is the other one more acceptable in another form of English? It sounds a little strange to me.

[Harmony]

Hello Felipe,

Welcome to the ESL Cafe.

I'm sorry to disagree with you on your first post. Is English your native language? If not, perhaps in this particular case the preferred word order is different in your language. I do have a sense of having read "is so made that" in very formal British English publications. It may well be that it is simply a matter of convention. However, it is clear that modern usage favors "is made so that".

> > > >

The American Heritage Book of English Usage gives us the following information:

So or so that in purpose clauses.

Many people insist that so must be followed by that in formal writing when used to introduce a clause giving the reason for or the purpose of an action: He stayed so that he could see the movie a second time. But since many respected writers use so for so that in formal writing, it seems best to consider the issue one of stylistic preference: The store stays open late so (or so that) people who work all day can buy groceries.

> > > >

Google results for "is made so that it" = 15,700
Google results for "is so made that it" = 359

Sentences using "is made so that it":

Each bubble is made so that it is very close to the density of the water.

The needle is made so that it slices the skin and injects the chip.

The top plate is made so that it can vibrate up and down relatively easily.

The lock is made so that it can be locked from the inside but can be opened from the outside with a special tool.

The car is made so that it can be used for younger children with an insertable floorboard.

> > > >

I hope you will continue to partipate in our forums. Your opinions are always welcome. Teachers may often be learners and learners may often be teachers. This was never more true than it is now in our rapidly changing world.

Harmony

[KazAV]

I agree with Harmony. To say, "it is made so that" is showing the reason why it is made so. To say, "it is so made" is indicating how it is made. The meanings are different and, as far as I can say, the one Harmony said is right is the way we usually say it.