grammar - Using "so that" without modal verbs


I know that usually with "so that" there is a modal verb. However, I do not know if this is correct because there is not a modal verb.



I will wake him up so that he does not (will not) miss the train.
I woke him up so that he did not miss the train.




Answer



The first one is correct. You can use either "won't" or "doesn't."


The second example isn't Ok because "so that" talks about a cause and its intended effect. In other words, "so that" is used for purpose or reason.


This is why your alternative is better (why did you erase it?):



Ex. I woke him up so that he wouldn't miss the train.



You can use "would" here as the Past Tense of "will." The Past Tense of "I'm going to wake him up so he won't miss the train."


If you really want to keep "did not" in your second example, you have to change "so that" into "so."


"So" just means the continuation of the first action.


Like this:



I woke him up, so he didn't miss the train.



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