so 和 so that 都是连词，用来连接两，然而，就其用途而言，它们有一个基本的区别。一、so 可以作为并列连词，连接两个独立的句子，用来表示因果关系（cause & effect/result)，例如：I was hungry, so I ate.我饿了，所以我吃了。The printer was broken, so we couldn’t use it.打印机坏了，所以我们不能用。They were tired, so they went to bed early.他们很累，所以很早就上床睡觉了。I have some money, so I want to buy a new car.我有一些钱，所以我想买一辆新车。He ran very fast, so we couldn’t see him exactly.他跑得很快，所以我们看不清他。二、so that 作为从属连词，用来描述从句（一个动作）的目的，相当于与 in order that，译为”因此，以便“，例如：He wants to earn lots of money so that he can buy many things that he wants.他想挣很多钱，这样他就能买很多他想要的东西。I put my glasses on so that I could see the movie better.我戴上眼镜以便能更好地看电影。The teacher spoke slowly so that his students would understand the lesson.老师讲得很慢，以便他的学生能听懂这节课。His father gave him some story books so that he could improve his reading.他父亲给了他一些故事书，以便他提高阅读能力。She exercises so that she can lose weight.她锻炼是为了减肥。We should recycle so that our children can enjoy our planet in the future.我们应该循环利用，这样我们的孩子将来可以享受我们的地球。
三、容易混淆的地方1. so that 中的 that 是可选的，也即在非正式的场合中可以省略，例如：她锻炼是为了减肥。a. She exercises so that she can lose weight.b. She exercises so she can lose weight.解析：以上两句意思是一样的。2. 在表达一个动作产生的结果时只能用 so，此时的 so 不是 so that 中省略 that 后剩下的 so，虽然形式可能一样，但是意思完全不同，例如：It was cheap so I bought it.它很便宜，所以我买了它。解析：此句中的 so 表示结果，不是目的。因为若是表目的，上下文意思不合理。四、用非省略的 so 或 so that 以及省略后的 so 完成以下句子，其中非省略的 so 请标记为 only so1. The movie was boring, _____ we stopped watching it.2. She is studying Spanish _____ she can communicate when she moves to Spain next year.3. The piano was heavy _____ we needed two people to move it.4. No one invited him to the party _____ he didn’t come.5. We’re painting our house _____ _____ it will look better.6. I am a man _____ I am not a woman.7. We hired a cleaner _____ our house is clean now.8. We hired a cleaner _____ our house would be clean for the party.五、答案、参考翻译在实际的考试中，如果还是不好区分它们，可以用 in order that 代替 so that。 1. so (only so)这部电影很无聊，所以我们不再看了。2. so 或 so that她正在学习西班牙语，以便明年搬到西班牙时可以交流。3. so (only so)钢琴很重，所以我们需要两个人来搬。4. so (only so)没有人邀请他参加聚会，所以他没有来。5. so 或 so that 我们正在粉刷房子，使它看起来更好。6. so (only so) 我是男人，所以我不是女人。7. so (only so) 我们雇了个清洁工，所以我们的房子现在干净了。8. so 或 so that我们雇了一个清洁工，以便我们在聚会时房子就变得干净。
