så at/sådan at

So That (Så at)

Level 3

The conjunction så (at) connects two clauses to show why an action is done (purpose) or what happened because of it (result). In modern Danish, the 'at' is often optional.

How It Works

The pattern så (at) and its variants sådan at and således at are essential for linking actions to their goals or consequences.

1. Purpose vs. Result

  • Purpose: Used when you do something to achieve a specific goal. Jeg taler langsomt, så du kan forstå mig. (I speak slowly so that you can understand me.)
  • Result: Used to show the consequence of an action. Han råbte højt, så alle vågnede. (He shouted loudly, so that everyone woke up.)

2. Register and Variants

  • så (at): The most common form. In speech, 'at' is usually dropped.
  • sådan at: Slightly more precise, often implying 'in such a way that'.
  • således at: The formal version, common in academic or legal writing.

3. Word Order (Crucial)
Because these are subordinating conjunctions, any sentence adverbs (like ikke, altid, aldrig) must be placed before the verb. This is a key difference from the coordinating så (so/therefore).

4. Comparison with 'for at'
Use for at + infinitive when the subject of both clauses is the same. Use så at + a full clause when the subjects are different.

Examples (5)

  1. Jeg tænder lyset, så vi kan se noget.

    I am turning on the light so that we can see something.

    Word by Word: I turn light-the, so we can see something.

    Here 'så' expresses purpose. Note that the subject changes from 'jeg' to 'vi'.

  2. Luk døren, så hunden ikke løber ud.

    Close the door so that the dog doesn't run out.

    Word by Word: Close door-the, so dog-the not runs out.

    This shows subordinate word order: the adverb 'ikke' comes before the verb 'løber'.

  3. Han forklarede det tydeligt, sådan at alle forstod det.

    He explained it clearly, so that everyone understood it.

    Word by Word: He explained it clearly, such that everyone understood it.

    'Sådan at' emphasizes the manner in which he explained it to achieve the result.

  4. Reglerne blev ændret, således at ingen var i tvivl.

    The rules were changed so that no one was in doubt.

    Word by Word: Rules-the were changed, so-wise that no-one was in doubt.

    'Således at' is a formal variant often used in official contexts.

  5. Jeg træner hver dag, så jeg kan blive stærkere.

    I train every day so that I can become stronger.

    Word by Word: I train every day, so I can become stronger.

    Even when the subject is the same, 'så' can be used with a finite verb (kan blive) instead of 'for at' with an infinitive.

Common Mistakes

  • Using main clause word order (V2) after subordinating 'så'.

    Jeg råber, så du hører ikke mig.
    Jeg råber, så du ikke hører mig.

    In a subordinate clause introduced by 'så (at)', the adverb 'ikke' must come before the verb.

  • Using 'for at' when the second clause has a new subject.

    Jeg arbejder hårdt for at min chef bliver glad.
    Jeg arbejder hårdt, så min chef bliver glad.

    'For at' can only be followed by an infinitive (same subject). If you introduce a new subject (min chef), you must use 'så (at)'.

How It Connects

Tap a pattern to see what it builds on and what it leads to.

så at/sådan atLevel 3So That (Så at)

Learn This First

To understand 'så at' or 'sådan at', you need to be familiar with how Danish structures subordinate clauses, as these phrases act as conjunctions that trigger subordinate word order. It is also helpful to understand the basic use of 'så' (so) and 'at' (that) individually.

Words in This Pattern

så atsådanat