Ampersand Lab

Intermediate grammar · Lesson 64 · B1

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

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.

Start the lesson

15Steps · about 28 minutes

In this lesson

to ... for purposeA2 screens of questions
a place to park, something to eat, work to doB3 screens of questions
for ... and to ...C2 screens of questions
so thatD2 screens of questions

Point A of 4

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.

Point A · Exercise 64.1 · part 1 of 2

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

Use these

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. Example

    I waved my arms.

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

    AnswerI 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.

Point A · Exercise 64.1 · part 2 of 2

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

Use these

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 rang the shop.

  2. I hired a gardener.

Point B of 4

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.

Point B · Exercise 64.2 · part 1 of 3

Complete each sentence with to + a suitable verb.

  1. Example

    The museum employs two guards to protect the paintings.

    AnswerThe 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?

Point B · Exercise 64.2 · part 2 of 3

Complete each sentence with to + a suitable verb.

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

  2. Do you need a passport to Ireland?

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

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

Point B · Exercise 64.2 · part 3 of 3

Complete each sentence with to + a suitable verb.

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

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

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

Point C of 4

for ... and to ...

Side by side:

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

for somebody to do something is also possible.

for -ing describes what a thing is used for. It never gives a person's reason for doing 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?

Point C · Exercise 64.3 · part 1 of 2

Put in to or for.

  1. Example

    We stopped at a café for a cup of tea.

    AnswerWe 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?

Point C · Exercise 64.3 · part 2 of 2

Put in to or for.

  1. Do you use that app planning your journeys?

  2. I turned the light on find my keys.

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

Point D of 4

so that

so that (not to) is the natural choice with can/could and will/would, and when the purpose has a subject of its own.

that can be dropped: so that I wouldn't miss it and so I wouldn't miss it are both fine.

  • 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.

Point D · Exercise 64.4 · part 1 of 2

Make one sentence from two, using so that.

  1. Example

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

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

    AnswerI 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.

Point D · Exercise 64.4 · part 2 of 2

Make one sentence from two, using so that.

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

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

Lesson 64 · Result

How you did

Next lesson: Adjective + to ...Back to the course

–Right

Each point

A. to ... for purpose–Not checkedB. a place to park, something to eat, work to do–Not checkedC. for ... and to ...–Not checkedD. so that–Not checked