In order to with examples

 What is wrong with little old "to"?  Not grand enough for your important essay? 

In order to sound less pretentious and wordy and insecure (see what I did there?), make sure you do not use "in order to" anywhere other than at the beginning of a sentence (and even then, check to see whether a plain "to" on its own might do the job just as well). 

Simpler is almost always better.

Here are some poor 😞--> ok😐-->good 😀 sentences.  Remember, that even the bad sentences with 😞 are not wrong, but  the alternatives are better. 

😞 The candidate dressed professionally for the interview in order to make a positive impression. 😐In order to make a positive impression, the candidate dressed professionally for the interview.😀The candidate dressed professionally to make a positive impression at the interview.

😞The company invested heavily in research and development in order to maintain its competitive advantage.

😐 In order to maintain its competitive advantage, the company invested heavily in research and development.

😀 The company invested heavily in research and development to maintain its competitive advantage.

😞The applicant had to have at least five years of experience in order to be considered for the job.

😐In order to be considered for the job, the applicant had to have at least five years of experience.

😀 The applicant had to have at least five years of experience to be considered for the job.

😞Strict measures were imposed on public gatherings in order to prevent the spread of the virus.

😐In order to prevent the spread of the virus, strict measures were imposed on public gatherings.

😀Strict measures were imposed on public gatherings to prevent the spread of the virus.

😞The student had to study all the material thoroughly in order to pass the test.

😐In order to pass the test, the student had to study all the material thoroughly.

😀The student had to study all the material thoroughly to pass the test.

😞The company implemented a recycling program for its office in order to reduce waste. 

😐In order to reduce waste, the company implemented a recycling program for its office.

😀To reduce waste, the company implemented a recycling program for its office.  

😀The company implemented a recycling program for its office to reduce waste. 

😞The business must have a strong online presence in order to succeed in the global market. 

😐In order to succeed in the global market, the business must have a strong online presence.

😀To succeed in the global market, the business must have a strong online presence.

😀The business must have a strong online presence to succeed in the global market. 

Just to complicate things...

Even when placed in its proper position at the start, the phrase can cause ambiguity or just seem confusing, as in the example below:

😞The concert organizers advised attendees to arrive early in order to avoid disappointment.

But also:

😞 In order to avoid disappointment, the concert organizers advised attendees to arrive early.

And just as bad is a simple "to" in the wrong place even though it usually works in this position: 

😞To avoid disappointment, the concert organizers advised attendees to arrive early.

😀The concert organizers advised attendees to arrive early to avoid disappointment.

Sometimes, albeit rarely, the phrase serves a purpose by being in the middle of a sentence, as it helps avoid ambiguity, but  the best of the sentences below is still the one that leaves it out: 

😞The nonprofit had to demonstrate a clear plan for using the funds to receive the grant.

😐( instead of the usual 😞 for this construction):  The nonprofit had to demonstrate a clear plan for using the funds in order to receive the grant.

😐In order to receive the grant, the nonprofit had to demonstrate a clear plan for using the funds.

😀 To receive the grant, the nonprofit had to demonstrate a clear plan.