Purpose Clauses

1. for + ing
e.g. You’ll need matches for making a fire. You can use the plastic bag for covering
wounds.

2. to + infinitive (no negation)

e.g. You learn English to pass your exams.
e.g. He slammed on the brakes not to hit the pedestrians.

3. in order to (in order not to) + infinitive

e.g. They work hard in order to buy a big house.

4. so as to (so as not to) + infinitive

e.g. I've moved house so as to be closer to my parents.

5. so that/in order that + subject + modal verb (can could, may, might, should)
e.g. I study hard so that/in order that my parents can be proud of me.

6. for fear that/lest + subject + verb

e.g. She kept quiet for fear that they’d laugh at her accent.

7. for fear of + gerund (fml) = to avoid

e.g. She kept quiet for fear of being laughed at.

Note!
NOT cannot be used with to on its own for a negative purpose.
e.g. He slammed on the brakes so as not to hit the pedestrians.

Ex.1 Choose the correct answer.

1. You should clean the cut thoroughly … prevent any infection.

a. so that b. so as to c. for d. in order

2. You’d better leave now in … of heavy traffic.

a. case b. fear c. agony d. anxiety

3. I didn’t turn on TV … fear of disturbing Dad.

a. in b. for c. with d. on

4. He went to Brazil to avoid … arrested.

a. be b. to be c. being d. been

5. She locked the cupboard to prevent the children … finding the presents.
a. with b. out c. off d. from

Ex.2 Complete the sentences with the missing words.

1. Give me your hand … I … feel your pulse.

2. The food is being rationed … everybody … get their share.
3. He opened the window … we … get some fresh air.
4. The lecturer spoke very clearly … everybody ... understand him.
5. She took off her shoes … make any noise.

Ex.3 Finish the sentences.

1. Switch off the light so that the children …

2. They save money in order to …
3. They stopped at a restaurant in order that everybody …
4. We study languages so as to …
5. The boy collected all the compositions so that …
6. I wrote to him to …
7. We walked on tiptoe so as not …
8. I left a message on the table so that she …

Ex.4 Paraphrase the following sentences using the words in brackets.

1. We left early because we didn’t want to miss the beginning of the film (as)
We left early … the beginning of the film.

2. I tried to catch an earlier bus than usual because I always get stuck in traffic. (avoid)
I tried to catch an earlier bus than usual … in traffic.

3. He didn’t give me the correct number; he didn’t want me to find him. (prevent)
He didn’t give me the correct number … him.

4. The bank increased its interest rates so as to attract more customers. (that)
The bank increased its interest rates ... more customers.

5. No announcement about the epidemic was made, lest we should cause panic. (fear)
No announcement about the epidemic was made ... panic.