Foundation grammar · Unit 54 · A2

I went to the shop to ...

-ing and to ...

Use to + verb to say why somebody does something (I went to the shop to buy milk), for + noun for the thing they want (I went to the shop for milk), and learn the patterns with wait.

Go to the exercises

A to ... tells us why

Martin needed some milk, so he went to the corner shop.

Why did he go to the shop? To buy some milk.

He went to the shop to buy some milk.

to ... (to buy / to see etc.) tells us why a person does something. It also follows money and time: money to (do something), time to (do something).

  • "Why are you going out?" "To post a letter."
  • Zoe went to the airport to meet her uncle.
  • I switched on the radio to hear the traffic news.
  • I'd like to go to France to learn French.
  • We need some money to pay the gas bill.
  • I haven't got time to read the paper.

B to ... and for ...

to + verb (to buy / to see etc.) for + noun (for some milk / for a holiday etc.)
He went to the shop to buy some milk. He went to the shop for some milk.
They're going to Cornwall to see their friends. They're going to Cornwall for a holiday.
We need some money to pay the gas bill. We need some money for the gas bill.

We say to buy, not 'for buy'. A verb takes to; a noun takes for.

  • He went to the shop to buy some milk.
  • He went to the shop for some milk.
  • They're going to Cornwall for a holiday.

C wait for ... / wait to ... / wait for somebody to ...

Pattern Example
wait for (somebody / something) Please wait for me. Are you waiting for a taxi?
wait to (do something) Come on! I'm waiting to leave. Are you waiting to see the nurse?
wait for (somebody / something) to ... I can't go out yet. I'm waiting for Alice to ring. Are you waiting for the plumber to come?
  • Please wait for me.
  • Are you waiting to see the nurse?
  • I can't go out yet. I'm waiting for Alice to ring.
  • Are you waiting for the plumber to come?

Exercises

54.1 Write sentences beginning I went to ... Use the place in brackets and choose a reason from the box.

get the bus to Leedstake out some moneybuy some plastersborrow a book

  1. (the bus station)

    I went to the bus station to get the bus to Leeds.

    I went to the bus station to get the bus to Leeds.

  2. (the bank)

  3. (the chemist's)

  4. (the library)

54.2 Finish the sentences. Choose from the box.

to clear my headto find out who was thereto have a restto hear the weather forecastto tell him his tea was readyto unlock this cupboard

  1. I put the radio on to hear the weather forecast.

    I put the radio on to hear the weather forecast.

  2. Nadia lay down on the sofa .

  3. Do I need a key ?

  4. I went for a walk along the canal .

  5. I knocked on Joe's bedroom door .

  6. Somebody knocked, so I looked through the window .

54.3 Use your own ideas to finish these sentences. Use to ...

  1. I went to the chemist's ___.

    Example answer: I went to the chemist's to get some cough medicine.

  2. I'm really busy. I haven't got time ___.

  3. I rang the council ___.

  4. I'm going out ___.

  5. I borrowed my sister's car ___.

54.4 Put in to or for.

tofor

  1. Kyle went to the bakery to buy some rolls.

    Kyle went to the bakery to buy some rolls.

  2. We went to the pub lunch.

  3. Sana wants to go to college study nursing.

  4. I'm going to Glasgow a job interview on Monday.

  5. I'm going to Glasgow see my cousins.

  6. Have you got time a quick chat?

  7. I overslept this morning. I didn't have time eat breakfast.

  8. Everybody needs a bit of money live.

  9. The kitchen is tiny. There's only room a table and two chairs.

  10. A: Excuse me, are you waiting use the cash machine? B: No, I'm waiting my friend.

54.5 Finish these sentences. Choose from: Mum / ring, the play / start, it / boil, you / choose.

Mum / ringthe play / startit / boilyou / choose

  1. I can't go out yet. I'm waiting for Mum to ring.

    I can't go out yet. I'm waiting for Mum to ring.

  2. I sat down in the theatre and waited .

  3. I filled the kettle, switched it on and waited .

  4. "Have you picked a film?" "No, I'm waiting ."

See also