～ように（目的）

How to form it

• Verb (dictionary form / potential / ない-form, e.g. 忘れない) + ように
• The main clause usually has a deliberate action intended to achieve or avoid the stated result

Register: Neutral

Explanation

Shows a purpose or aim that is described as a state or result.

It is natural with potential verbs and negatives, and the subjects of the two clauses can be different.

Examples

1. 忘れないように、メモを書いておきます。

   わすれないように、メモをかいておきます。

   I will write a note so that I don't forget.

2. よく聞こえるように、前の席に座った。

   よくきこえるように、まえのせきにすわった。

   I sat in a front seat so that I could hear well.

3. 風邪をひかないように、手を洗います。

   かぜをひかないように、てをあらいます。

   I wash my hands so as not to catch a cold.

Compare with

• ～ために: ～ために is used for the subject's own intentional purpose.
• ～ようにと言う: ～ようにと言う tells someone to do something.

Common mistakes

• For a deliberate action taken directly toward a goal, ～ために is often natural; ～ように focuses on achieving or keeping a desired state or result and is not limited to non-volitional verbs.
• Putting a past-form verb before ように in the purpose meaning.