“so” and “so that”

“So” tells the result of an action.

e.g. John brought an umbrella yesterday, so he did not get wet.

“so that” tells the aim or purpose of an action:

e.g. John stood on the table so that he could reach the top of the shelf.

e.g. He worked hard so he could pass the test. ü

    He worked hard so that he could pass the test. ü

    It rained heavily so the road was waterlogged. ü

    It rained heavily so that the road was waterlogged. X

We can use “and so” to replace “so”, but we need not put a comma before it.

e.g. John brought an umbrella yesterday and so he did not get wet.