INFINITIVE OF PURPOSE (to, so that, in order to, so as to)

We can use to to express purpose. The subject of the main clause and
of the purpose clause must be the same.

Example: Jack went to England to study engineering. (NOT for to

study)

If the two subjects are different, we can’t use to. We have to use so
that.

Example: Jack went to England so that his brother would have some
help working in the restaurant.

We use so that to express purpose (the reason why someone does

something).
So that is usually followed by can, could, will or would.
Example: The police locked the door so (that) no-one could get in.

In order to and so as to are more formal ways (speech and writing) of

expressing purpose.
Example: Scientist used only local materials, in order to save money.
There are also negative forms: in order not to, so as not to.
Example: The soldiers moved at night, so as not to alarm the villagers.

NOTE: For and because can also express purpose. However, for is a
preposition, not an infinitive, and is followed by a noun. Because is a
(subordinating/subordinate) conjunction, and is followed by a clause.

For preposition PURPOSE (having the purpose of)

Examples:
There’s a sign there saying “boats for hire”.
The pool is for the use of hotel guests only.
I’m sorry, the books are not for sale.
They’ve invited us for dinner on Saturday.
We’re having a collection for Tom’s retirement present.
Your shoes will be repaired and ready for you to collect on Thursday.
A young girls came up to me and asked for money.
There’s a letter for you on the table.
There will be a prize for the best entry.
The house was too expensive for me to buy.
 EXERCISES

I. Underline the most suitable word or phrase in each sentence.

1. Janet went out so that she bought/to buy Harry a present.
2. The food is much too hot to eat/to be eaten.
3. Let’s check once more, for being/so as to be sure.
4. Bill had so much/so that fun that he stayed another week.

II. Complete the second sentence so that it has a similar meaning to the first sentence, using the word
given. Do not change the word given. You must use between two and five words, including the word
given.
1. Sue went shopping so she could buy herself a new television.
to
went shopping to buy herself
Sue _______________________________________ a new television.

2. Jane gave up smoking because she wanted to save money.

order
in order to save
Jane gave up smoking _____________________________ money.

3. I came here so that I could see you.

to
came here to see
I ________________________________ you.

III. Complete the following. Use a verb from the box and adapt as necessary.

study play stay reside eat retreat return buy dance shout

to dance
1. The prince invited Cinderella _____________.
to shout
2. The teacher asked the students _____________.
to buy a new car.
3. The salesperson persuaded them ____________
to study
4. My father wants me _____________ medicine.
to eat
5. Doctors tell people _____________ less fat.
to play
6. Our coach teaches us _____________ as a team.
to reside in the country.
7. The regulations permit foreigners _____________
to stay at home more.
8. Higher gas prices force some people ____________
to retreat
9. The general ordered the troops _______________.
to return to the bus
10. The guide requested the tourists ______________
IV. Complete the sentences using the verbs in parentheses.

Affirmative
to sit down. (sit down)
1. The president invited his visitors ____________
to attend (attend) the meeting.
2. The committee requests everyone ____________
to help
3. I want you ______________ (help) me with my homework.
to open (open) seven days a week.
4. Regulations permit supermarkets ___________
to migrate (migrate) to cities.
5. Rural conditions force some people ___________
Negative
not to be (be) late.
6. My boss asked me _____________
not to sign (sign) documents without reading them.
7. lawyers usually advise clients _____________
not to go (go) to the meeting.
8. We persuaded him _____________
not to eat (eat) unwashed fruit.
9. Their mother told them _____________
not to lose (lose) their tempers.
10. Ms. Smith teaches children _____________

V. Complete the following. Use a verb from the box and adapt as necessary.
enter fire pay take off fly lower sign buy read eat
to read
1. He wants me ___________ him a story before bed.
to not eat candy.
2. Doctors often tell hepatitis sufferers ___________
to buy their new product.
3. The sales team persuaded a lot of people ___________
to fire
4. The captain order the troops ____________ at the enemy.
to lower
5. The economists advised the president _____________ interest rates.
to take off
6. The theater-goers asked the woman _____________ her very large hat.
to pay
7. Inflation forces people _____________ more for the things they buy.
to sign
8. The hotel manager invited the guests _____________ their names in the visitor’s book.
to fly
9. Aviation schools teach people _____________ airplanes and helicopters.
to enter the main building.
10. This pass authorizes the holder ____________

VI. Complete the following. Use a verb from the box for each sentence and adapt as necessary.

buy surrender take go run say jump sing fly miss

to don't fly anymore.

1. The pilot’s deteriorating vision forced him ___________
to don't buy unnecessary luxuries.
2. The difficult economic situation teaches people ___________
to don't take drinks into the theater.
3. The management requests movie-goers _____________
 to don't go to school.
4. She had such a bad cold that her mother permitted her ___________
to don't run in marathon races, but he always does anyway.
5. The doctor always tells Joe ____________
to don't jump off the bridge.
6. The psychologist persuaded his patient ______________
to don't miss an excellent opportunity.
7. His words encouraged me ______________
to don't say any more rude words.
8. The judge advised the man ______________
to don't sing so loudly in the bathroom!
9. His voice was so horrible that his father asked him ___________
to don't surrender
10. The colonel order his troops _____________ their arms to their enemy.

VII.
Explain why each object is for, using one of verbs in the box.
lock paint stick clean keep open put wash

1. brush It’s for painting things.

2. glue to stick things.
It’s __________________________________
3. fridge It's to keep food fresh.
_____________________________________
4. sink It's for washing hands and dishes.
_____________________________________
5. dustbin It's for putting garbage inside.
_____________________________________
6. toothbrush It's for cleaning teeth.
_____________________________________
7. corkscrew It's to open glass bottles like wine.
_____________________________________
8. key It's for locking the door.
_____________________________________