He ran very fast. He did not want to miss the last train. (Rewrite the sentence using 'so as')

The English language places significant emphasis on precise sentence construction to effectively communicate ideas. Grammatical structures like 'so as to' and 'so as not to' are crucial for expressing purpose or intention. These constructions allow for a more nuanced and sophisticated expression of causality compared to simpler conjunctions like 'because' or 'since'. This question assesses the candidate’s ability to manipulate sentence structure while preserving the original meaning, a fundamental skill for clear and concise writing, essential for effective communication in the UPSC examination and beyond. The original sentence, "He ran very fast. He did not want to miss the last train," expresses a cause-and-effect relationship. The action of running fast was undertaken with the purpose of avoiding missing the train. To rewrite this using 'so as', we need to combine these two sentences into one, clearly indicating the purpose. Rewritten Sentence He ran very fast so as not to miss the last train. Explanation of the Transformation 'So as to' vs. 'So as not to': Since the original sentence expresses a desire to *avoid* something (missing the train), we use 'so as not to'. 'So as to' is used for positive intentions (e.g., "He studied hard so as to pass the exam"). Maintaining Meaning: The rewritten sentence retains the original meaning. It clearly states that the fast running was done with the specific intention of catching the train. Grammatical Correctness: The structure 'so as not to + verb' is grammatically correct and commonly used in formal English writing. Alternative phrasing (less common but acceptable) He ran very fast in order not to miss the last train. Why other options are incorrect: Using 'so that' would change the nuance. While grammatically correct, it doesn't emphasize the *purpose* as strongly as 'so as'. Simply adding 'so' before 'he did not want' is incorrect and creates a run-on sentence. The ability to accurately transform sentences while maintaining their original meaning is a vital skill for effective communication, particularly in the context of the UPSC Mains examination where precise and articulate writing is highly valued. In conclusion, the correct rewriting of the sentence using 'so as' is "He ran very fast so as not to miss the last train." This demonstrates a clear understanding of grammatical rules and the ability to express purpose effectively. Mastering such fundamental grammatical concepts is crucial for aspirants to articulate their thoughts clearly and concisely in the examination, leading to better scores and a stronger overall performance.

What is the difference between 'so as to' and 'in order to'?

Both 'so as to' and 'in order to' express purpose and are often interchangeable. However, 'so as to' is generally considered more formal and is frequently used in written English, while 'in order to' is more common in spoken English.

Question 44 | UPSC Mains ENGLISH-COMPULSORY 2023

Model Answer

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Introduction

The English language places significant emphasis on precise sentence construction to effectively communicate ideas. Grammatical structures like 'so as to' and 'so as not to' are crucial for expressing purpose or intention. These constructions allow for a more nuanced and sophisticated expression of causality compared to simpler conjunctions like 'because' or 'since'. This question assesses the candidate’s ability to manipulate sentence structure while preserving the original meaning, a fundamental skill for clear and concise writing, essential for effective communication in the UPSC examination and beyond.

The original sentence, "He ran very fast. He did not want to miss the last train," expresses a cause-and-effect relationship. The action of running fast was undertaken with the purpose of avoiding missing the train. To rewrite this using 'so as', we need to combine these two sentences into one, clearly indicating the purpose.

Rewritten Sentence

He ran very fast so as not to miss the last train.

Explanation of the Transformation

'So as to' vs. 'So as not to': Since the original sentence expresses a desire to *avoid* something (missing the train), we use 'so as not to'. 'So as to' is used for positive intentions (e.g., "He studied hard so as to pass the exam").
Maintaining Meaning: The rewritten sentence retains the original meaning. It clearly states that the fast running was done with the specific intention of catching the train.
Grammatical Correctness: The structure 'so as not to + verb' is grammatically correct and commonly used in formal English writing.

Alternative phrasing (less common but acceptable)

He ran very fast in order not to miss the last train.

Why other options are incorrect:

Using 'so that' would change the nuance. While grammatically correct, it doesn't emphasize the *purpose* as strongly as 'so as'.
Simply adding 'so' before 'he did not want' is incorrect and creates a run-on sentence.

The ability to accurately transform sentences while maintaining their original meaning is a vital skill for effective communication, particularly in the context of the UPSC Mains examination where precise and articulate writing is highly valued.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the correct rewriting of the sentence using 'so as' is "He ran very fast so as not to miss the last train." This demonstrates a clear understanding of grammatical rules and the ability to express purpose effectively. Mastering such fundamental grammatical concepts is crucial for aspirants to articulate their thoughts clearly and concisely in the examination, leading to better scores and a stronger overall performance.

Answer Length

This is a comprehensive model answer for learning purposes and may exceed the word limit. In the exam, always adhere to the prescribed word count.

He ran very fast. He did not want to miss the last train. (Rewrite the sentence using 'so as')

Model Answer

Introduction

Rewritten Sentence

Explanation of the Transformation

Alternative phrasing (less common but acceptable)

Why other options are incorrect:

Conclusion

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Expressing Purpose

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