Prepositions of Purpose: “To” & “For”

What are prepositions of purpose?

 We use prepositions of purpose to describe goals and feelings rather than things.
o I am happy to see you.
o She wants to learn English.
o I am sorry for your loss.

How do we use prepositions of purpose?

 To
o Many verbs in the English language are followed by “to.”

INTEREST willing, refuse

DESIRE want, like, prefer, object
INTENTION plan, intend, prepare
OBLIGATION have, need

 The construction: Subject + verb + “to” + verb phrase

o Juliana is willing to work more hours.
o Chenay plans to travel to France.
o We have to go to bed now.

 For
o Some adjectives and verbs are followed by “for.”

FEELINGS happy, sad, sorry, excited

PURPOSE FOR ACTION look, pay, wait, cook
DESCRIPTION famous, popular

 The construction: Subject + “to be” + adjective + “for” + phrase

o We are excited for your show!
o They aren’t sorry for what they did.
 The construction: Subject + verb + “for” + noun/ noun phrase
o I waited for you for five hours!
o We looked for you at the mall.

Activity
I. Fill in the blanks with the correct preposition of purpose

 We are so sad ______ see you go.

 I want _____ thank you for everything.
 I always cook ______ my wife so she doesn’t have to do it when she gets home.
 We’ve prepared _______ this all our lives.
 She has ______ wake up at 6am.