De sorte que: result or purpose? Compare the French verb forms

Edited by Chris Lee · Updated · About the library

Compare de sorte que + indicative for a reported result with the subjunctive for a purpose. Follow a speaker’s preparation, then choose the right reading.

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The short answer

De sorte que means “with the result that” before a reported consequence, using the indicative. For a purpose, it means “so that” and takes the subjunctive: de sorte que chacun puisse comprendre.

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A speaker explaining something carefully to a small group.
Lina speaks clearly de sorte que chacun puisse comprendre. Illustration: Atelier

Does de sorte que take the subjunctive?

Le résultatWhat happened

Focus: The speaker reports a successful outcome.

de sorte que + indicatif

Lina a reformulé son explication, de sorte que chacun a compris.
Lina rephrased her explanation, with the result that everyone understood.

Le butWhat the speaker aims for

Focus: The speaker describes the aim of the rephrasing.

de sorte que + subjonctif

Lina reformule son explication de sorte que chacun puisse comprendre.
Lina rephrases her explanation so that everyone can understand.

The English “so that” can fit both readings. Look at the whole message. A compris reports understanding as a result. Puisse comprendre gives the goal of Lina’s action. To make the purpose especially clear, you can use pour que chacun puisse comprendre.

Before and after a presentation

Une explication pour tout le monde
  1. Lina, before

    Je vais parler plus lentement de sorte que tout le monde puisse me suivre.

    I’m going to speak more slowly so that everyone can follow me.

  2. Samir, before

    Et tu peux expliquer les mots difficiles.

    And you can explain the difficult words.

  3. Lina, afterwards

    J’ai parlé plus lentement, de sorte que tout le monde a pu me suivre.

    I spoke more slowly, with the result that everyone was able to follow me.

  4. Samir, afterwards

    Oui, ton explication était très claire.

    Yes, your explanation was very clear.

Study first: three useful contrasts
InfinitiveReported resultIntended effect
pouvoirchacun peut / a puchacun puisse
pouvoirles participants peuvent / ont pules participants puissent
êtreles explications sont clairesles explications soient claires

Chacun takes a singular verb: chacun puisse. A plural subject takes puissent. Before a vowel, write de sorte qu’ils puissent comprendre. A comma often separates a reported consequence; the verb form and meaning tell you whether you have a result or a purpose.

Read the outcome before choosing the verb

Question 1No account needed
The aim is to help the audience follow tomorrow’s talk. Choose the purpose clause.

Choose one answer.

Answer and explanation

de sorte que chacun puisse suivre. Puisse suivre is the subjunctive purpose clause. The aim is to make following possible.

Question 2No account needed
The audience understood yesterday. Choose the reported result.

Choose one answer.

Answer and explanation

de sorte que les participants ont compris. Ont compris is indicative and reports the audience’s completed understanding.

Question 3No account needed
Give the purpose form of être with the plural subject.Nous reformulons les consignes de sorte qu’elles ___ claires.

Choose one answer.

Answer and explanation

soient. The purpose clause takes the subjunctive, and plural les consignes takes soient.

Question 4No account needed
What does Elle reformule de sorte que chacun puisse comprendre tell you?

Choose one answer.

Answer and explanation

Helping everyone understand is her aim.. The subjunctive clause describes the intended effect of her rephrasing.

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