【问】 《英语惯用法大词典》(中国科学技术出版社，1994.P.1359)说：“在in order that引导的从句中……谓语动词前……偶而也用can，could。如：

They are learning English in order that they can study a particular subject. ”

F. T. Wood 在Current English Usage(P. 131)中却有针锋相对的说法：

“in order that never followed by can/could or will/would. ”(in order that之后绝不能接can/could 或 will/would。)

英语的实际使用情况究竟是怎样的呢?

【答】 根据我们收集到的资料，in order that从句的谓语动词前的助动词只有may/might，shall/should，而没有can/could。请考察下面的实例：

1. They are going to London in order that they may see the Queen. (AED)

他们将去伦敦晋见女王。

2. I lent him ￡5 in order that he might go for a holiday. (Palmer)

我借给他5英镑以便他去度假。

3. I moved to California in order that I might get a job. (LDAE)

我搬到加利福尼亚去住以便能找到工作。

4. We used the computer in order that we might save time.(LDAE)

我们使用计算机是为了节省时间。

5. Come early in order that you may see him. (WBD)

早点儿来，以便能见到他。

6. And I have come all the way from Vienna in order that you should thoroughly understand me.(Wilde)

我迳直从维也纳来到这里，是为了让你彻底了解我。

LDCE指出，如果in order that之后用can，could，就会显得很别扭。