other words for in order in an essay

12 Other Ways to Say “In Order To”

The phrase “in order to” is a standard way to express purpose or intent in English. It’s commonly used in both spoken and written language to link an action with a reason or objective. However, there are several other expressions that can convey the same meaning. Without further ado, let’s check them below.

Table of Contents

Other Ways to Say “In Order To”

1. for the purpose of.

Example: “She attended the seminar for the purpose of networking with industry professionals.”

Meaning: This phrase signifies that the action or decision is taken with a specific goal or objective in mind. It stresses the practical or intended outcome of the action.

Usage: Ideal for formal reports, academic writing, or when emphasizing the specific purpose of an action. It’s suitable in contexts where clarity of intent is crucial.

2. With the Aim of

Example: “The campaign was launched with the aim of raising awareness about environmental issues.”

Meaning: Implies having a clear, often measurable, target or goal that the action is expected to achieve. It emphasizes a direct connection between the action and its intended result.

Usage: Best used in situations where the goal is clearly defined, such as in business plans, project proposals, or goal-oriented discussions.

3. With the Intention of

Example: “He joined the club with the intention of improving his public speaking skills.”

Meaning: Indicates a planned or premeditated action designed to achieve a particular result. This phrase highlights the forethought behind the action.

Usage: Appropriate in contexts where the speaker’s or writer’s motive needs to be highlighted, like in personal statements or strategic planning.

Example: “She studies hard to secure a good job.”

Meaning: A straightforward, no-frills way of expressing purpose or intention. It’s the most concise and direct form of stating the reason behind an action.

Usage: Extremely versatile, this is the most straightforward and common replacement for “in order to.” Suitable for both spoken and written language in casual and formal settings.

5. So as to

Example: “They left early so as to avoid the traffic.”

Meaning: Similar to “to,” but with a slightly more formal tone. It’s used to explicitly link an action with its purpose or goal.

Usage: More formal than just “to,” it fits well in academic writing or formal speeches where a degree of formality is required.

Example: “I saved money so that I could travel around Europe.”

Meaning: This expression is often used to link two clauses, with the second clause explaining the reason or purpose for the first. It’s more conversational and often implies a cause-and-effect relationship.

Usage: Works well in conversational English and informal writing. It’s often used to explain the reason behind an action.

7. With a View to

Example: “The company is investing heavily in technology with a view to enhancing efficiency.”

Meaning: Often used in business or formal contexts, this phrase suggests a long-term goal or vision.

Usage: Ideal for business and strategic contexts, particularly when discussing long-term goals and strategies.

8. For the Sake of

Example: “ For the sake of clarity, please explain your point again.”

Meaning: This expression is often used to emphasize the reason or motive behind an action.

Usage: Useful when justifying actions or decisions, especially in arguments or persuasive writing. It adds a sense of seriousness and purpose.

9. With the Goal of

Example: “The team is working tirelessly with the goal of winning the championship.”

Meaning: Denotes a clear objective or target that the action is intended to fulfill. This phrase is often used in contexts where the achievement is specific and defined.

Usage: Best used in contexts where there is a clear, often ambitious, target or outcome, such as in project planning or motivational speeches.

10. With the Objective of

Example: “The workshop was conducted with the objective of training new employees.”

Meaning: Similar to “with the goal of,” but often used in more formal or strategic contexts. It emphasizes the planned and deliberate nature of an action towards achieving a specific objective.

Usage: Suitable for formal and strategic discussions, project outlines, and when detailing the objectives of a plan or proposal.

11. Towards

Example: “All efforts are directed towards completing the project on time.”

Meaning: Indicates directionality or progression towards a certain end. It is often used to suggest a contribution to a larger goal or aim.

Usage: Good for indicating a direction or progress towards a goal, often used in progress reports, project updates, and strategic plans.

12. As a Means to

Example: “Networking can be used as a means to build professional relationships.”

Meaning: This phrase indicates that the action is a method or way to achieve a certain end. It is often used in situations where the focus is on the process or method as much as the end goal.

Usage: Effective in contexts where the method or process for achieving a goal is the focus. It’s often used in procedural descriptions and explanations.

When to Use Different Alternatives for “In Order To”

For Formal Writing:

Phrases like “For the purpose of,” “With the intention of,” and “With the objective of” lend a sophisticated and precise tone, making them suitable for academic papers, formal reports, or legal documents. They add a level of professionalism and are ideal for situations where clarity of purpose is crucial.

In Business Contexts:

“With a view to,” “Towards,” and “With the goal of” are effective in business discussions, corporate communications, and professional emails. These phrases help in clearly defining objectives and targets in a business environment and are suitable for presentations, proposals, and strategic planning documents.

For Everyday Conversations:

Simpler and more straightforward expressions like “To,” “So that,” and “So as to” are more common in casual speech and informal writing. They are easy to use and understand, making them perfect for everyday interactions, emails, or informal letters.

To Emphasize Reasoning:

When you want to stress the rationale or justification behind an action, using phrases like “For the sake of” and “As a means to” can be very effective. These expressions are particularly useful when the focus is on the reasons for an action or decision, such as in persuasive writing or argumentative essays.

While phrases like “for the purpose of,” “with the aim of,” and “as a means to” each bring their own unique nuances, the classic “in order to” remains a fundamental tool in our language toolkit.

For more insights on the optimal application of “in order to” in sentences and its role in effective communication, consider exploring resources like The Content Authority​ ​ .

Related Posts:

• 18 Other Ways to Say “Thank You for Your Patience…
• 18 Other Ways to Say "Thank You So Much"
• 24 Other Ways to Say "Enjoy and Have Fun"
• 16 Other Ways to Say "I Would Love To"
• 12 Other Ways to Say "You're Welcome"
• 16 Other Ways to Say "Hope to See You Soon"

Leave a comment Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

12 Alternatives to “Firstly, Secondly, Thirdly” in an Essay

Essays are hard enough to get right without constantly worrying about introducing new points of discussion.

You might have tried using “firstly, secondly, thirdly” in an essay, but are there better alternatives out there?

This article will explore some synonyms to give you other ways to say “firstly, secondly, thirdly” in academic writing.

Can I Say “Firstly, Secondly, Thirdly”?

You can not say “firstly, secondly, thirdly” in academic writing. It sounds jarring to most readers, so you’re better off using “first, second, third” (removing the -ly suffix).

Technically, it is correct to say “firstly, secondly, thirdly.” You could even go on to say “fourthly” and “fifthly” when making further points. However, none of these words have a place in formal writing and essays.

Still, these examples will show you how to use all three of them:

Firstly , I would like to touch on why this is problematic behavior. Secondly , we need to discuss the solutions to make it better. Thirdly , I will finalize the discussion and determine the best course of action.

• It allows you to enumerate your points.
• It’s easy to follow for a reader.
• It’s very informal.
• There’s no reason to add the “-ly” suffix.

Clearly, “firstly, secondly, thirdly” are not appropriate in essays. Therefore, it’s best to have a few alternatives ready to go.

Keep reading to learn the best synonyms showing you what to use instead of “firstly, secondly, thirdly.” Then, we’ll provide examples for each as well.

What to Say Instead of “Firstly, Secondly, Thirdly”

• First of all
• One reason is
• Continuing on
• In addition

1. First of All

“First of all” is a great way to replace “firstly” at the start of a list .

We recommend using it to show that you have more points to make. Usually, it implies you start with the most important point .

Here are some examples to show you how it works:

First of all , I would like to draw your attention to the issues in question. Then, it’s important that we discuss what comes next. Finally, you should know that we’re going to work out the best solution.

2. To Begin

Another great way to start an essay or sentence is “to begin.” It shows that you’re beginning on one point and willing to move on to other important ones.

It’s up to you to decide which phrases come after “to begin.” As long as there’s a clear way for the reader to follow along , you’re all good.

These examples will also help you with it:

To begin , we should decide which variables will be the most appropriate for it. After that, it’s worth exploring the alternatives to see which one works best. In conclusion, I will decide whether there are any more appropriate options available.

“First” is much better than “firstly” in every written situation. You can include it in academic writing because it is more concise and professional .

Also, it’s somewhat more effective than “first of all” (the first synonym). It’s much easier to use one word to start a list. Naturally, “second” and “third” can follow when listing items in this way.

Here are a few examples to help you understand it:

First , you should know that I have explored all the relevant options to help us. Second, there has to be a more efficient protocol. Third, I would like to decide on a better task-completion method.

4. One Reason Is

You may also use “one reason is” to start a discussion that includes multiple points . Generally, you would follow it up with “another reason is” and “the final reason is.”

It’s a more streamlined alternative to “firstly, secondly, thirdly.” So, we recommend using it when you want to clearly discuss all points involved in a situation.

This essay sample will help you understand more about it:

One reason is that it makes more sense to explore these options together. Another reason comes from being able to understand each other’s instincts. The final reason is related to knowing what you want and how to get it.

“Second” is a great follow-on from “first.” Again, it’s better than writing “secondly” because it sounds more formal and is acceptable in most essays.

We highly recommend using “second” after you’ve started a list with “first.” It allows you to cover the second point in a list without having to explain the flow to the reader.

Check out the following examples to help you:

First, you should consider the answer before we get there. Second , your answer will be questioned and discussed to determine both sides. Third, you will have a new, unbiased opinion based on the previous discussion.

6. Continuing On

You can use “continuing on” as a follow-up to most introductory points in a list.

It works well after something like “to begin,” as it shows that you’re continuing the list reasonably and clearly.

Perhaps these examples will shed some light on it:

To begin, there needs to be a clear example of how this should work. Continuing on , I will look into other options to keep the experiment fair. Finally, the result will reveal itself, making it clear whether my idea worked.

Generally, “next” is one of the most versatile options to continue a list . You can include it after almost any introductory phrase (like “first,” “to begin,” or “one reason is”).

It’s great to include in essays, but be careful with it. It can become too repetitive if you say “next” too many times. Try to limit how many times you include it in your lists to keep your essay interesting.

Check out the following examples if you’re still unsure:

To start, it’s wise to validate the method to ensure there were no initial errors. Next , I think exploring alternatives is important, as you never know which is most effective. Then, you can touch on new ideas that might help.

One of the most effective and versatile words to include in a list is “then.”

It works at any stage during the list (after the first stage, of course). So, it’s worth including it when you want to continue talking about something.

For instance:

First of all, the discussion about rights was necessary. Then , it was important to determine whether we agreed or not. After that, we had to convince the rest of the team to come to our way of thinking.

9. In Addition

Making additions to your essays allows the reader to easily follow your lists. We recommend using “in addition” as the second (or third) option in a list .

It’s a great one to include after any list opener. It shows that you’ve got something specific to add that’s worth mentioning.

These essay samples should help you understand it better:

First, it’s important that we iron out any of the problems we had before. In addition , it’s clear that we have to move on to more sustainable options. Then, we can figure out the costs behind each option.

Naturally, “third” is the next in line when following “first” and “second.” Again, it’s more effective than “thirdly,” making it a much more suitable option in essays.

We recommend using it to make your third (and often final) point. It’s a great way to close a list , allowing you to finalize your discussion. The reader will appreciate your clarity when using “third” to list three items.

Here are some examples to demonstrate how it works:

First, you need to understand the basics of the mechanism. Second, I will teach you how to change most fundamentals. Third , you will build your own mechanism with the knowledge you’ve gained.

11. Finally

“Finally” is an excellent way to close a list in an essay . It’s very final (hence the name) and shows that you have no more points to list .

Generally, “finally” allows you to explain the most important part of the list. “Finally” generally means you are touching on something that’s more important than everything that came before it.

For example:

First, thank you for reading my essay, as it will help me determine if I’m on to something. Next, I would like to start working on this immediately to see what I can learn. Finally , you will learn for yourself what it takes to complete a task like this.

12. To Wrap Up

Readers like closure. They will always look for ways to wrap up plot points and lists. So, “to wrap up” is a great phrase to include in your academic writing .

It shows that you are concluding a list , regardless of how many points came before it. Generally, “to wrap up” covers everything you’ve been through previously to ensure the reader follows everything you said.

To start with, I requested that we change venues to ensure optimal conditions. Following that, we moved on to the variables that might have the biggest impact. To wrap up , the experiment went as well as could be expected, with a few minor issues.

• 10 Professional Ways to Say “I Appreciate It”
• 10 Ways to Ask if Someone Received Your Email
• 9 Other Ways to Say “I Look Forward to Speaking With You”
• How to Write a Thank-You Email to Your Professor (Samples)

We are a team of dedicated English teachers.

Our mission is to help you create a professional impression toward colleagues, clients, and executives.

© EnglishRecap