A result clause describes what happens as a consequence of the situation in the main clause. For example, The traffic was so heavy that we missed our flight shows the actual outcome — missing the flight — caused by the heavy traffic. Unlike a purpose clause, which states an intended goal, a result clause states an actual or logical outcome — often one that was not deliberately planned. Reference grammars such as the Cambridge Grammar group so…that and such…that among the standard structures for expressing result.
What Is a Result Clause?
Result clauses typically follow the main clause and are introduced by that after a degree word (so or such), or by a separate connector such as therefore, as a result, or consequently at the start of a new sentence.
- The exam was so difficult that half the class failed.
- It was such a difficult exam that half the class failed.
- The exam was extremely difficult. As a result, half the class failed.
Formation Table
| Structure | Formula | Example |
|---|---|---|
| so + adjective + that | so + adj + that + clause | She was so tired that she fell asleep at her desk. |
| so + adverb + that | so + adv + that + clause | He spoke so quietly that nobody heard him. |
| so + many/much + noun + that | so many/much + noun + that + clause | There was so much traffic that we missed the flight. |
| such + (a/an) + adjective + noun + that | such + (a/an) + adj + noun + that + clause | It was such a difficult exam that many students failed. |
| therefore / as a result / consequently | independent connector between two sentences | Sales fell sharply. Consequently, the factory reduced staff. |
So vs. Such
Choosing between so and such depends on what follows: so goes directly before an adjective or adverb (with no noun), while such goes before a noun phrase (with or without an adjective).
- so + adjective (no noun): The film was so boring that I fell asleep.
- such + a/an + adjective + noun: It was such a boring film that I fell asleep.
Result Clauses vs. Purpose Clauses
A result clause describes what actually happened as a consequence; a purpose clause describes the goal someone was aiming for. So that can introduce either meaning, but the intonation, punctuation, and context usually make the difference clear: without a comma and following a degree word, it signals result; standing alone before a modal, it usually signals purpose.
- Result: She whispered so quietly that no one heard her. (an actual, unplanned outcome)
- Purpose: She whispered so that no one would hear her. (a deliberate goal)
Common Mistakes
- Wrong: It was so a boring film that I left. Correct: It was such a boring film that I left. (‘so’ cannot be followed directly by ‘a/an + noun’; use ‘such’ instead)
- Wrong: She has such much money that she never worries. Correct: She has so much money that she never worries. (‘much’, ‘many’, ‘little’, and ‘few’ take ‘so’, not ‘such’)
- Wrong: He was so tired, therefore he went to bed. Correct: He was so tired that he went to bed. / He was tired. Therefore, he went to bed. (do not combine ‘so…that’ and ‘therefore’ in the same clause — choose one connector)
- Wrong: As a result of, the road was closed and traffic backed up. Correct: As a result, the road was closed and traffic backed up. (‘as a result’ alone is the connector; ‘as a result of’ requires a following noun phrase, e.g. ‘as a result of the accident’)
Practice Exercises
Grammar Quiz
Choose so or such to complete each result sentence correctly.
Cloze Dropdown
Select the correct result connector for each context.
Complete the Sentence
Add a logical result clause to complete each sentence stem.
Match-Up
Match causes to the results they logically produce.
Flash Cards
Practise so...that and such...that structures with instant feedback.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is a result clause?
A result clause describes the consequence or outcome of the situation in the main clause. Common structures include so...that, such...that, and independent connectors like therefore and as a result: The exam was so difficult that half the class failed.
What is the difference between ‘so’ and ‘such’ in result clauses?
‘So’ goes directly before an adjective or adverb with no noun: so tired, so quickly. ‘Such’ goes before a noun phrase, with or without an adjective: such a difficult exam, such news. Choosing the wrong one (‘so a difficult exam’) is a very common learner error.
What is the difference between a result clause and a purpose clause?
A result clause states an actual consequence that happened (she spoke so quietly that no one heard her — an unplanned outcome). A purpose clause states a deliberate goal (she spoke quietly so that no one would hear her — an intended aim). The structure ‘so that’ can express either, depending on context.
Do ‘much’ and ‘many’ use ‘so’ or ‘such’?
‘Much’, ‘many’, ‘little’, and ‘few’ take ‘so’, not ‘such’, because they already function as quantifiers rather than ordinary adjectives: so much money, so many people, so few options.
Can I combine ‘so...that’ with ‘therefore’ in one sentence?
No. Combining them is redundant, since both express the same result relationship. Choose one: He was so tired that he went to bed, or He was tired; therefore, he went to bed as two separate clauses linked by a semicolon or as separate sentences.
What is the difference between ‘as a result’ and ‘as a result of’?
‘As a result’ is a standalone connector between two sentences: Sales fell. As a result, staff were laid off. ‘As a result of’ is a preposition phrase that must be followed by a noun: As a result of falling sales, staff were laid off.
Can ‘that’ be omitted in so...that and such...that structures?
In informal spoken English, ‘that’ is often dropped: It was so hot I couldn’t sleep. In formal writing, keeping ‘that’ is standard and recommended for clarity: It was so hot that I couldn’t sleep.
Is ‘consequently’ the same as ‘as a result’?
They are close synonyms, both signalling a logical consequence, but ‘consequently’ is slightly more formal and more common in academic and business writing, while ‘as a result’ works in both formal and everyday contexts.
Can result clauses come before the main clause?
The so...that and such...that structures cannot be reversed — the result clause with ‘that’ must follow the degree phrase. However, connector-based results (therefore, as a result, consequently) always start a new sentence and by definition come after the cause.
Why do result clauses matter for exam writing?
Result clauses let writers link a cause to its consequence with precision and variety — so...that, such...that, therefore, consequently — which is rewarded in IELTS and Cambridge writing assessments for cohesion and a wide range of grammatical structures.