"so that"
The businessman has little money. He can't trade with others for goods.

The businessman has little money with which to trade with others for goods.
The businessman has little money so that he can't trade with others for goods. (no comma, edited)

Do the last two sentences have the same meaning as the first one?

Question

"so that"
The businessman has little money. He can't trade with others for goods.

The businessman has little money with which to trade with others for goods.
The businessman has little money so that he can't trade with others for goods. (no comma, edited)

Do the last two sentences have the same meaning as the first one?

Answer

The second sentence is fine. Obviously there is a causative link there, which is missing in the first.
To me, the third one doesn't quite make sense. I don't think you can use 'so that' like that - particularly in that negative aspect. 
Consider  'He has money so that he can trade'. In that case, 'so that' does not mean that having money allows him to trade. It means that the need to trade is why he has money.  It's a subtle, but important difference, and that is why your example doesn't work. Your third sentence suggests that he got rid of his money, to prevent himself from being able to trade.
if you deleted the 'that', then it works.

Answer

Hi, 
The latter two sentences do have the same meaning as the first.

Good luck!

Answers · 4

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