A final clause is a dependent adverbial clause expressing purpose, often using the words “that” or “so that.” Opposing clauses show unintended results. Formal language may use “because” or “considering.”
A final clause is a type of language construction that expresses a modification of the original statement. Some experts refer to the final clause as a dependent clause, as it is added to a more complete sentence. It is further defined as an adverbial clause that expresses a purpose, although clauses of this type do not typically include adverbs. These types of constructions are also sometimes called scope clauses.
One type of final clause includes the word “that.” What comes after the word “that” is the final clause showing a purpose for a previous statement. For example, an English speaker or writer might say, “He traveled freely, so that he could see the sights of the country.” In an alternative form, more pertinent to the older and more archaic English forms, a similar sentence might go something like this: “He has traveled freely, that he may see the sights of the country.” Both of these could be considered sentences that include a final clause.
Another alternative construction for a final clause features a different word that changes the meaning of the clause to an opposite one. Where the above types of end-clauses are called end-of-purpose clauses, these opposing end-clauses could be called “opposite-end-of-purpose clauses” as they lead to an unintended result. For example, an English speaker or writer might say, “He took the main road, so as not to get lost.” This use of a final clause sets up the idea that the clause states the reason for the previous statement based on something the subject wants to avoid.
Other types of final clauses may exist in formal English. Some of these may include formal or legal language, such as the words “because” or “considering.” Like many of the previous examples, all of these uses of end clauses, or scope clauses, show somewhat old-fashioned versions of the English language. The more common modern clauses of this type often use the words “so that” to attach the clause to the larger sentence. For example, a modern English speaker might say, “Let’s get our work in on time, so we can benefit from a weekend without work.” This still sounds relatively formal to many English speakers, but it provides the scope clause without obviously old-fashioned language. A less formal equivalent would be “so that”.
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