Result and Purpose Clauses
When baking, you often need to explain why you use a certain technique. To connect an action with its outcome, use the interchangeable phrases de modo que or de manera que ("so that" or "in such a way that").
The mood of the verb that follows them depends on whether you are describing a specific goal (purpose) or an actual outcome (result).
Expressing Purpose (Subjunctive)
To express a specific goal or intention (where the outcome hasn't happened yet), use the subjunctive. This is very common when giving instructions.
| Sift the flour so that there are no lumps in the dough. | Tamiza la harina de modo que no haya grumos en la masa. |
| You have to knead quite a bit so that the bread turns out fluffy. | Tienes que amasar bastante de manera que el pan quede esponjoso. |
Expressing Result (Indicative)
To state a factual outcome, use the indicative. When expressing a result, these connectors usually follow a comma and translate more closely to "and so".
| I have sifted the flour, so there are no lumps. | He tamizado la harina, de modo que no hay grumos. |
| Today I have kneaded a lot, so the bread has turned out very fluffy. | Hoy he amasado mucho, de manera que el pan ha quedado muy esponjoso. |
Side-by-Side Comparison
Notice how the exact same connector changes its function based on the verb mood:
- Purpose (Subjunctive): You are taking an action so that the dough will rise.
| Add a little bit of yeast so that the dough rises in the baking pan. | Añade un poco de levadura de modo que la masa suba en el molde. |
- Result (Indicative): You are stating the fact that the dough does rise as a result.
| Most cooks use this yeast, so the dough always rises in the baking pan. | La mayoría de los cocineros usan esta levadura, de manera que la masa siempre sube en el molde. |
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