Grammar
-도록
Meaning
Intermediate-dorok
Attaches to a verb stem to name the state of affairs the main action is meant to bring about — 'so that ~', 'in such a way that ~'. The -도록 clause states the goal and the main clause states what is done to reach it, which is why policy, technical and safety writing tends to put the aim first and the measure second.
Form
Attaches directly to a verb stem regardless of the final sound: 보다 → 보도록, 받다 → 받도록. It also goes on 있다/없다 and on -(으)ㄹ 수 있다 (볼 수 있도록), and the negative is -지 않도록 or -지 못하도록. The clause carries no tense of its own — tense sits on the main verb (썼습니다, 교체했습니다). Its subject is often different from the main clause's and is marked with 이/가.
Examples
모두가 볼 수 있도록 크게 썼습니다.
I wrote it large so that everyone could see it.
회사는 물이 새지 않도록 관을 교체했습니다.
The company replaced the pipes so that water would not leak.
Common mistakes & nuance
The common mistake is reaching for -기 위해(서) where -도록 is required. -기 위해(서) wants a deliberate action verb sharing the main clause's subject, so 볼 수 있기 위해 and 물이 새지 않기 위해 are both wrong — Korean uses 볼 수 있도록 and 새지 않도록. Note also a separate, unrelated -도록 meaning 'to the extent that / right up until', as in 밤늦도록 ('until late at night'); it is not a purpose clause, so read the whole clause rather than the ending to tell which one you have.
Similar grammar
- -기 위해(서)
Both mark a purpose. -기 위해(서) states an aim the subject deliberately pursues and needs an action verb with the same subject as the main clause. -도록 states a situation to be brought about, so it accepts states and abilities (볼 수 있도록) and lets the goal clause have its own subject.
- -도록 하다
-도록 하다 is this same ending followed by 하다, but it no longer states a purpose: it reports that someone put a rule or instruction in place (정하도록 했습니다 'it was provided that they would decide'). In news, 하도록 했다 means an order was issued, not that someone was aiming at something.