Infinitive of purpose
B1 IntermediateThe infinitive of purpose uses the 'to + verb' form to explain why someone performs an action. It is a concise way to express the reason or goal behind a specific behavior.
Overview
The infinitive of purpose is used to express the reason for an action. It answers the question 'Why?'. In English, we often use the full infinitive (to + base form) instead of a longer phrase like 'because I wanted to'.
- It focuses on the intention of the subject.
- It can appear at the beginning or the end of a sentence.
- It is more common in both spoken and written English than using 'for' with a verb.
Form
main clause + to + base verb
The structure uses the base form of the verb preceded by 'to'. For negative purposes, we typically use 'in order not to' or 'so as not to' to avoid confusion.
Examples
Common mistakes
I went to the shop for buying milk.
I went to the shop to buy milk.
Use 'to + verb' for purpose. 'For' is used with nouns (e.g., for milk), but not usually with -ing verbs to show personal purpose.
I am here for to learn English.
I am here to learn English.
'For to' is grammatically incorrect in standard modern English.
To vs. For
Use to when the reason involves an action (verb). Use for when the reason involves a thing (noun).
| Structure | Usage | Example |
|---|---|---|
| To + Verb | To express a purpose or action. | I exercise to stay fit. |
| For + Noun | To express the use of an object. | This knife is for bread. |
Practice
Complete the sentence: He joined the gym _______ (lose) weight.
Show answer
to lose
Answer:to lose
Why:The infinitive of purpose 'to lose' explains the reason why he joined the gym.
Correct the error: I moved to London for finding a better job.
Show answer
I moved to London to find a better job.
Answer:I moved to London to find a better job.
Why:We use 'to + infinitive' rather than 'for + -ing' to express the purpose of an action.
Rewrite using an infinitive: I turned on the TV because I wanted to watch the news.
Show answer
I turned on the TV to watch the news.
Answer:I turned on the TV to watch the news.
Why:The infinitive of purpose replaces the 'because' clause to make the sentence more concise.