Intermediate grammar · Unit 64 · B1

to ... , for ... and so that ...

-ing and to ...

Use to + infinitive to give the purpose of something, for + noun when the purpose is a thing, and so that, usually with can, could, will or would, when the purpose has its own subject or a modal verb.

Go to the exercises

A to ... for purpose

to + infinitive tells us the purpose of something: why somebody does it, has it or needs it, or why the thing exists at all.

  • I rang the garage to book an MOT.
  • What do you need to make scones?
  • The lifeguard blew her whistle to warn the swimmers.
  • This email is to remind you about Friday's fire drill.
  • The farmer keeps two dogs to guard the sheep.

B a place to park, something to eat, work to do

We put to + infinitive after a noun or after something, nothing, somebody and similar words: a place to park (a place where you can park), something to drink (something you can drink), jobs to do (jobs you must do).

Sometimes a preposition follows the verb, and it stays at the end: a chair to sit on, somebody to talk to, a knife to cut it with.

The same pattern follows money, time, chance, opportunity, energy, courage and similar nouns.

  • There's never anywhere to park outside the surgery.
  • Would you like something to drink?
  • I've got a pile of ironing to do.
  • Is there a bench to sit on?
  • It's hard moving to a new town when you've got nobody to talk to.
  • Have you got anything to cut this tape with?
  • My gran gave me some money to buy a coat.
  • Did you get the chance to see the cathedral?
  • I need a bit of time to think it over.

C for ... and to ...

Compare:

for + noun to + verb
We stopped for lunch. We stopped to have lunch.
I ran for the train. I ran to catch the train.

You can say for somebody to do something.

Use for -ing to say what a thing is used for. Do not use for -ing to say why somebody does something: I went to the shop to buy milk, not for buying milk.

What ... for? asks about purpose. It can mean "what is it used for?" or, said with a certain look, "why on earth did you do that?"

  • There wasn't enough room for us to sit down, so we stood at the back.
  • This little knife is for peeling potatoes.
  • I went to the shed to get the stepladder.
  • What's this button for?
  • What did you paint the door purple for?

D so that

Use so that, not to, especially with can/could and will/would. It is also the natural choice when the purpose has a different subject.

You can leave out that: so that I wouldn't miss it and so I wouldn't miss it are both correct.

  • He's saving up so that he can buy a van.
  • We moved to Bristol so that we could be near my parents.
  • I set two alarms so that I wouldn't oversleep.
  • I set two alarms so I wouldn't oversleep.

Exercises

64.1 Join each sentence to one of the reasons in the box, using to ... .

I wanted to ask about a refundI wanted to check the oilI wanted to keep the rain offI wanted to let them know I'd be lateI wanted to slice the breadI wanted to warn the children about the iceI wanted someone to look after the garden

  1. I waved my arms.

    I waved my arms to warn the children about the ice.

    I waved my arms to warn the children about the ice.

  2. I opened the bonnet.

  3. I put my hood up.

  4. I went to the drawer for the big knife.

  5. I texted my friends.

  6. I rang the shop.

  7. I hired a gardener.

64.2 Complete each sentence with to + a suitable verb.

  1. The museum employs two guards to protect the paintings.

    The museum employs two guards to protect the paintings.

  2. I haven't got enough hours in the day everything I'm supposed to do.

  3. After the night shift I hadn't got the energy dinner, so we ordered a pizza.

  4. Would you like something ? There's orange juice in the fridge.

  5. Have you got a box these old records in?

  6. The council is holding a meeting on Thursday the new bus route.

  7. Do you need a passport to Ireland?

  8. Owen was at the wedding, but I didn't get the chance to him.

  9. I've been invited to an interview and I haven't got anything smart .

  10. Siân has got the job. We're going out for a meal .

  11. I can't carry this wardrobe up the stairs on my own. I need somebody me.

  12. Calm down. It's only a spider. There's nothing frightened of.

64.3 Put in to or for.

  1. We stopped at a café for a cup of tea.

    We stopped at a café for a cup of tea.

  2. Give me a few days think about it.

  3. I went to the garage a new tyre.

  4. She can't manage on her own any more. She needs somebody do her shopping.

  5. Could you lend me a fiver the bus fare?

  6. Do you use that app planning your journeys?

  7. I turned the light on find my keys.

  8. I wish we had a bigger table all the family sit round.

64.4 Make one sentence from two, using so that.

  1. I set off early. I didn't want to miss the ferry.

    I set off early so that I wouldn't miss the ferry.

    I set off early so that I wouldn't miss the ferry.

  2. I put a hat on. I didn't want to get sunburnt.

  3. I left my address with the neighbours. I wanted them to be able to forward my post.

  4. We closed the door. We didn't want anybody to hear us. (... nobody ...)

  5. Please be on time. We want to be able to leave at nine.

  6. I wrote the date on the calendar. I didn't want to forget it.

  7. I pulled over. I wanted the ambulance to be able to get past.

See also