de manière à + Infinitive
So as to with De Maniere a
De manière à + infinitive is a formal way to say 'so as to' or 'in such a way as to.' It links an action to its intended goal or result, emphasizing the method used.
How It Works
The phrase de manière à is a fixed locution followed by an infinitive verb. It serves two main purposes:
- Purpose: It explains the goal of an action (similar to pour or 'afin de').
- Manner/Result: It describes how something is done to ensure a specific outcome.
Key Rules:
1. Same Subject: You can only use the infinitive form if the person performing the main verb is the same person performing the infinitive. If the subjects are different, you must use de manière que.
2. Mood Choice: When using the clausal form (de manière que), use the subjunctive if you are expressing an intended goal, but use the indicative if you are describing a factual consequence that has already happened.
3. Register: This expression is standard to formal. It is common in writing and professional contexts.
4. Synonyms: It is almost entirely interchangeable with de façon à or de sorte à.
Examples (4)
- Il a rangé ses outils de manière à gagner de la place.
He tidied his tools so as to save space.
Word by Word: He has tidied his tools of manner to to-gain of the space.
Here, the manner in which he tidied the tools directly results in the goal of saving space.
- Veuillez parler fort de manière à être entendu par tout le monde.
Please speak loudly so as to be heard by everyone.
Word by Word: Please to-speak loud of manner to to-be heard by all the world.
The infinitive 'être' follows 'à'. Note that the subject (you) is the same for both speaking and being heard.
- Elle a modifié le document de manière à éviter les erreurs.
She modified the document in such a way as to avoid errors.
Word by Word: She has modified the document of manner to to-avoid the errors.
The elision occurs between 'à' and the infinitive 'éviter' because it starts with a vowel.
- L'entreprise recrute de manière à renforcer son équipe technique.
The company is recruiting so as to strengthen its technical team.
Word by Word: The company recruits of manner to to-strengthen its team technical.
This demonstrates the formal, professional register often associated with this pattern.
Common Mistakes
Using 'de manière à' when the subjects of the two verbs are different.
Je parle lentement de manière à tu comprennes.Je parle lentement de manière que tu comprennes.If the subjects are different (I and You), you cannot use the infinitive construction. You must use de manière que. Note that when expressing an intended goal, as in this example, the subjunctive is required.
Adding 'que' after 'à' when using the infinitive.
Il agit de manière à qu'il réussisse.Il agit de manière à réussir.The preposition 'à' must be followed directly by an infinitive verb. If you need a 'que' clause because the subjects are different, you must remove the 'à' and use de manière que.
Assuming 'de manière que' always requires the subjunctive.
Il a plu de manière que nous soyons mouillés.Il a plu de manière que nous avons été mouillés.While 'de manière à' implies intent, the conjunction 'de manière que' can express a factual result. If the result is a simple fact (consequence) rather than a goal, use the indicative mood, not the subjunctive.
How It Connects
Learn This First
To use 'de manière à + infinitive', learners need to be comfortable with the concept of infinitives following prepositions and understand the basic prepositions 'de' and 'à' which form the structure of this purpose expression.
- Verbs linked directly to an infinitive
Understanding how to use an infinitive verb directly after a prepositional phrase is essential for this construction.
Level 2 - de (provenance / appartenance)Origin, Possession with De
The pattern is built using the preposition 'de' as a core component of the phrase 'de manière à'.
Level 1 - àLocation, Direction with a
The pattern is built using the preposition 'à' as the final marker before the infinitive.
Level 1
Related Patterns
- de manière queIn Such a Way That with De Maniere Que
This is the clausal version used for different subjects; it takes the subjunctive for goals and the indicative for factual results.
Level 5 - pourFor with Pour
'Pour' is the most common and less formal way to express purpose with an infinitive.
Level 1 - afin que + SubjunctiveFormal Purpose with Afin Que + Subjunctive
'Afin de' + infinitive is a formal synonym for 'de manière à' that focuses purely on the goal.
Level 4 - si bien queSo Much So That with Si Bien Que
While 'de manière à' focuses on intent, 'si bien que' focuses exclusively on the factual consequence.
Level 5 - Verb + à + InfinitiveVerbs Linked to an Infinitive by a
Understanding how 'à' links to infinitives is helpful for recognizing this pattern's structure.
Level 2 - de sorte queSo That with De Sorte Que
A very close synonym that also distinguishes between goal (subjunctive) and result (indicative).
Level 5
Words in This Pattern
Practice de manière à + Infinitive in Bubblegum
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