Other Ways to Say “In Order To” in English

Hello, English learners, and welcome to a new lesson. Today we are looking at other ways to say “in order to” in English.

We use in order to when we want to explain the purpose of an action — in other words, why someone does something.

Look at these examples:

• Sandra practised yoga every evening in order to relax and sleep better.
• Mark took another job in order to earn more money.
• The Petersons moved to the country in order to enjoy peace and quiet.

In all these sentences, in order to answers the question Why?

Why did Sandra practise yoga?

→ To relax and sleep better.

Why did Mark take another job?

→ To earn more money.

Why did the Petersons move to the country?

→ To enjoy peace and quiet.

Is “In Order To” Formal?

In order to is slightly formal. It is common in written English, essays, reports, articles, presentations and academic texts.

In everyday spoken English, we usually use to instead.

Compare:

Formal:

• She attended the course in order to improve her English.

More natural in everyday English:

• She attended the course to improve her English.

Formal:

• The company reduced prices in order to attract more customers.

More natural:

• The company reduced prices to attract more customers.

This does not mean in order to is wrong. It simply sounds more formal or more deliberate.

Basic Structure

The structure is:

in order to + infinitive

• I saved money in order to buy a new laptop.
• They left early in order to avoid the traffic.

Do not use -ing after in order to.

Incorrect:

• She studies every day in order to improving her English.

Correct:

• She studies every day in order to improve her English.

1. To

The simplest and most common alternative to in order to is to.

We use:

to + infinitive

• I called you to ask for advice.
• She went to the library to study.

In most everyday situations, to is the best choice. It is short, natural and clear.

Compare:

• I’m learning English in order to get a better job.
• I’m learning English to get a better job.

Both are correct, but the second sentence sounds more natural in conversation.

2. So That

We use so that when we want to explain the purpose of an action, especially when the second part of the sentence has a subject and a modal verb such as can, could, will or would.

Structure:

so that + subject + can/could/will/would + verb

• I wrote the address down so that I wouldn’t forget it.
• She spoke slowly so that everyone could understand her.

“So” or “So That”?

In informal English, we often use so instead of so that.

• I wrote it down so I wouldn’t forget.
• She spoke slowly so everyone could understand.

Both are common, but so that is a little clearer and more formal.

3. So As To

So as to is another formal alternative to in order to. It is not very common in everyday conversation, but it is useful in formal writing.

Structure:

so as to + infinitive

• Please speak clearly so as to avoid confusion.
• The instructions were simplified so as to help new users.

The negative form is:

so as not to + infinitive

• She left quietly so as not to disturb anyone.

This is more formal than:

• She left quietly not to disturb anyone.

4. In an Effort To

We use in an effort to when someone tries to achieve something, especially when the result is not guaranteed.

It often appears in news, business and formal writing.

Structure:

in an effort to + infinitive

• The school introduced new rules in an effort to improve discipline.
• The government lowered taxes in an effort to support small businesses.

This phrase suggests effort, intention and action.

5. With the Aim of

We use with the aim of to describe the purpose or goal of an action. It is formal and is often used in reports, essays and professional English.

Structure:

with the aim of + -ing

• The charity organised the event with the aim of raising money for children.
• The course was created with the aim of helping intermediate learners speak more confidently.

Be careful: after with the aim of, use the -ing form.

Incorrect:

• They started the campaign with the aim of raise awareness.

Correct:

• They started the campaign with the aim of raising awareness.

You can also use:

aiming to + infinitive

• The charity organised the event, aiming to raise money for children.
• The company changed its strategy, aiming to increase sales.

6. With the Intention of

With the intention of means that someone has a plan or purpose in mind.

Structure:

with the intention of + -ing

• Martha went to the supermarket with the intention of buying some cheese.
• He moved abroad with the intention of starting a new life.

You can also use:

intending to + infinitive

• Martha went to the supermarket, intending to buy some cheese.
• He borrowed the money, intending to repay it within a year.

This phrase is useful when you want to show someone’s original plan.

7. For the Purpose of

For the purpose of is formal and rather official. It is common in legal, academic, business and administrative English.

Structure:

for the purpose of + noun / -ing

• The data was collected for the purpose of the study.
• The room is used for the purpose of staff training.

This phrase can sound heavy, so avoid overusing it in everyday English.

Instead of saying:

• I went to the shop for the purpose of buying bread.

It is much more natural to say:

• I went to the shop to buy bread.

8. With a View to

With a view to means “with the intention of doing something in the future”. It is formal and usually followed by the -ing form.

Structure:

with a view to + -ing

• They bought the cottage with a view to turning it into a guest house.
• She started saving money with a view to buying a flat.

Be careful: to in this phrase is a preposition, not part of the infinitive. That is why we use -ing after it.

Incorrect:

• She saved money with a view to buy a flat.

Correct:

• She saved money with a view to buying a flat.

9. With an Eye to

With an eye to has a similar meaning to with a view to. It means that someone is thinking about a future purpose or advantage.

Structure:

with an eye to + -ing / noun

• They bought the cottage with an eye to turning it into a small hotel.
• She chose that course with an eye to her future career.

This phrase is useful but rather formal. It is more common in writing than everyday speech.

10. To Meet the Needs of

To meet the needs of is not always a direct replacement for in order to, but it is very useful when we talk about designing, changing or creating something for a particular group of people.

Structure:

to meet the needs of + person/group

• The course is designed to meet the needs of intermediate English learners.
• The new timetable was created to meet the needs of working parents.

This phrase is especially useful in education, business, health care and customer service.

Quick Comparison Table

to	to + infinitive	neutral/common	I called to apologise.
in order to	in order to + infinitive	formal	She studied hard in order to pass.
so that	so that + subject + modal verb	neutral/formal	I wrote it down so that I wouldn’t forget.
so as to	so as to + infinitive	formal	He left early so as to avoid traffic.
in an effort to	in an effort to + infinitive	formal	They cut prices in an effort to attract customers.
with the aim of	with the aim of + -ing	formal	The event was held with the aim of raising money.
with the intention of	with the intention of + -ing	formal	She went there with the intention of finding work.
for the purpose of	for the purpose of + noun/-ing	very formal	The data was collected for the purpose of research.
with a view to	with a view to + -ing	formal	He saved money with a view to buying a house.
with an eye to	with an eye to + -ing/noun	formal	They invested with an eye to future growth.
to meet the needs of	to meet the needs of + noun	formal/practical	The course was designed to meet the needs of learners.

Common Mistakes

Mistake 1: Using -ing after “in order to”

Incorrect:

• I’m studying in order to passing the exam.

Correct:

• I’m studying in order to pass the exam.

Mistake 2: Using the infinitive after “with the aim of”

Incorrect:

• They started a campaign with the aim of raise awareness.

Correct:

• They started a campaign with the aim of raising awareness.

Mistake 3: Forgetting “to” after “with a view”

Incorrect:

• She saved money with a view buying a car.

Correct:

• She saved money with a view to buying a car.

Mistake 4: Using “for the purpose of” in simple everyday sentences

Too formal:

• I opened the window for the purpose of getting some fresh air.

Better:

• I opened the window to get some fresh air.

Mistake 5: Confusing purpose and result

Purpose means the reason why someone does something.

• I went to bed early to get enough sleep.

Result means what happened because of something.

• I was tired, so I went to bed early.

Be careful with so. It can express result, but so that usually expresses purpose.

Final Summary

We use in order to to express purpose. It is correct, but it can sound formal. In everyday English, to is often enough.

Use:

• to for simple, natural English
• in order to for formal or careful explanations
• so that before a subject and modal verb
• so as to in formal writing
• in an effort to when someone tries to achieve something
• with the aim of before an -ing form
• with the intention of before an -ing form
• for the purpose of in official or academic contexts
• with a view to before an -ing form
• with an eye to when thinking about a future advantage
• to meet the needs of when something is designed for a particular group

The most important thing to remember is structure:

in order to + infinitive

so that + subject + modal verb

with the aim of + -ing

with a view to + -ing

for the purpose of + noun/-ing

Learning these alternatives will make your writing more varied, precise and advanced, especially in essays, reports, proposals and formal communication.

FAQ 

What can I say instead of “in order to”?

You can often use to, so that, so as to, in an effort to, with the aim of, with the intention of, for the purpose of, with a view to or with an eye to.

Is “in order to” formal?

Yes, in order to is slightly formal. In everyday English, we often simply use to.

What is the difference between “to” and “in order to”?

Both express purpose. To is shorter and more natural in everyday English, while in order to sounds more formal or deliberate.

Do we use -ing after “in order to”?

No. We use in order to + infinitive:
I studied hard in order to pass the exam.

What comes after “with the aim of”?

Use the -ing form after with the aim of:
The campaign was launched with the aim of raising awareness.

Related posts:

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Even If, Even Though, Even So, Even As 

How to Write an Essay for B2 First (FCE)

How to Write a Proposal in English 

How to Write a Report for B2 First 

100 Formal and Informal Noun Pairs 

Linking Words and Phrases 

Gerund and Infinitive 

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