GRAMMAR: To + infinitive to express purpose
To infinitive to express purpose
Look at the columns below. Which column expresses purpose? Tell your partner
Exercise 1
Read the prompts below. Write full sentences that express purpose as in example 1.
Example:
1. Look up words in the dictionary / find their meaning - I look up words in the dictionary to find their meaning.
2. feel energetic / sleep 8 hours a day
3. do vocabulary exercises / improve my English
4. have a good time / meet my friends
5. get up early / arrive at school on time
6. be healthy / drink 5 glasses of water a day
Bonus Task
Now that you know one way of expressing purpose, you are ready to learn another easy way:
Preposition FOR + the verb ending in ING
Compare these sentences:
- I look up words in the dictionary to find their meaning.
- I look up words in the dictionary for finding their meaning.
Rewrite the sentences on the previous exercise using this new way of expressing purpose.
Key
2. I sleep 8 hours a day for feeling energetic
3. I do vocabulary exercises for improving my English
4. I meet my friends for having a good time
5. I get up early for arriving at school in time
6. I drink 6 glasses of water a day for being healthy
Need more practice? Click this link and review how to use TO + infinitive and FOR + ing to express purpose.