a.) TO INFINITIVE a.

) SO THAT + WILL/WOULD or CAN/COULD

He went to Italy to study Italian.
I travelled to Plymouth to meet my friends. b.) I‟m ironing your shirt so that you can wear it at the
“I come to bury Caesar not to praise him.” meeting.

b.) IN ORDER TO/SO AS TO
- with a negative infinitive
She left her wellingtons outside so as not to bring in
mud.
- with to be and to have
He came by taxi in order to be here in time.
- when the purpose is less immediate
He is studying English so as to qualify for a better job.
- in longer sentences
He took much more trouble over the figures than he
usually did in order to show his boss what a careful
worker he was.
- for emphasis
„He bought a Ferrari when he was in Italy.‟ „That‟s not
surprising. He went to Italy to buy a Ferrari.‟
Peter took his son to the zoo so that his wife could
have some rest.
I talked to her at the party so that she wouldn‟t feel
left out.
c.) SO THAT/IN ORDER THAT + MAY/MIGHT
or (SHALL)/SHOULD
(more formal – no difference in meaning)
These people risked their lives in order that the next
generations might live in peace.
Mr Black gave the professor a lift so that he should be
in time to deliver his speech.

Make a clause of purpose from the pairs of sentences. Questions

1. Dora went to the post office. She wanted to send a parcel. 1. Why did they go on holiday to
Greece?
2. I told you a lie. I did not want to hurt your feelings. 2. Why did they buy a lot of
books and magazines?
3. David invited Elizabeth for dinner. He wanted her to enjoy herself.
3. Why did they give the keys to
4. Paul introduced Joan to his father. He needed his father’s permission to marry Elizabeth?
her. 4. Why did they give the dog to
their daughter, Emily?
5. The night porter switched off the light. He wanted to see what was happening 5. Why did Mrs Brown buy the
outside. Lonely Planet guidebook?
6. Why did Mr Brown buy a
6. Daniel keeps two dogs. He wants to feel safe. dictionary?
7. Why did they cancel the
7. Grandma cut the cake into 12 pieces. She wanted everyone to have a piece.
newspapers?
8. I’ve bought my wife a dishwasher. I want her to have more free time.

Read the story and answer the questions with a clause of purpose

Mr and Mrs Brown were preparing to go on holiday to Greece. They wanted to relax, swim in the sea and visit
some places of interest. They didn‟t want to watch TV during their holiday so they bought a lot of books and
magazines. Before leaving they gave their keys to Mrs Brown‟s sister Elizabeth, because they wanted her to water
the potted plants. They gave their dog, Tom to their daughter, Emily, to look after him while they were away. Mrs
Brown bought the Lonely Plane guidebook because she wanted to plan the trips in Greece. Mr Brown bought an
English-Greek dictionary because he wanted to learn some words. They cancelled the newspaper subscription
because they didn‟t want to pay for them while on holiday.

You have a strange visitor who doesn’t know what these objects are used for. Tell him, using a
clause of purpose.

1 2 3 4 5 6 7
 Make a clause of purpose from the pairs of sentences.

1. Dora went to the post office. She wanted to send a parcel.

Dora went to the post office to send a parcel.
2. I told you a lie. I did not want to hurt your feelings.
I told you a lie in order not to hurt your feelings.
3. David invited Elizabeth for dinner. He wanted her to enjoy herself.
David invited Elizabeth so that she could enjoy herself.
4. Paul introduced Joan to his father. He needed his father’s permission to marry her.
Paul introduced Joan to his father in order to get his permission to marry her.
5. The night porter switched off the light. He wanted to see what was happening outside.
The night porter switched off the light to see what was happening outside.
6. Daniel keeps two dogs. He wants to feel safe.
Daniel keeps two dogs to feel safe.
7. Grandma cut the cake into 12 pieces. She wanted everyone to have a piece.
Grandma cut the cake into 12 pieces so that everyone could have a piece.
8. I’ve bought my wife a dishwasher. I want her to have more free time.
I’ve bought my wife a dishwasher so that she can have more free time.

Questions

1. Why did they go on holiday to Greece?

They went on holiday to Greece to relax, swim and visit some places of
interest.
2. Why did they buy a lot of books and magazines?
They bought a lot of books and magazines so as not to watch TV.
3. Why did they give the keys to Elizabeth?
They gave the keys to Elizabeth so that she would water the potted plants.
4. Why did they give the dog to their daughter, Emily?
They give the dog to Emily so that she would look after him while they were
away.
5. Why did Mrs Brown buy the Lonely Planet guidebook?
Mrs Brown bought the Lonely Planet guidebook in order to plan the trips.
6. Why did Mr Brown buy a dictionary?
Mr Brown bought a dictionary to learn some words.
7. Why did they cancel the newspapers?
They cancelled the newspapers in order not to pay for them while they were
on holiday.

You have a strange visitor who doesn’t know what these objects are used for.
Tell him, using a clause of purpose.

1. We use a basket to carry things.

2. We use a mop to wash the floor.
3. We use a vacuum cleaner to clean the carpets.
4. We use these things to dry, brush and curl our hair.
5. We use a broom to sweep the floor.
6. We use this stuff to clean the window.
7. We use the watering can to water the flowers.