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CHAPTER 9
Infinitive of purpose
Gerunds (verb + ing) and infinitives are a part of English grammar that many English learners
find challenging. In this post, I will help you understand when to use a gerund or infinitive to describe
the purpose of someone or something.
In English, both gerunds and infinitives can be used to talk about the reason why we use or do
something.
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Gerunds
A gerund is a verb that acts like a noun. To form a gerund, add ing to the end of the verb.
To describe the purpose of something, use for + gerund:
What is a hair dryer for?
A hair dryer is for drying hair.
What is this program for?
This computer program is for editing videos.
*Notice that in the above sentences, the thing being described is the subject of the sentence.
More example sentences:
My lips are for kissing!
Be quiet! A library is for studying, not for socializing!
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Infinitives
An infinitive is the to + verb form. To describe the purpose of someone, use an infinitive.
What do you use a hair dryer for?
I use a hair dryer to dry my hair.
Why did you go to the store?
I went to the store to buy some milk.
Why are you going to Toronto?
Im going to Toronto to learn English
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Heres where it gets confusing:
You can still use for + noun to talk about the purpose of someone, but the noun CANNOT be
a gerund:
2008 English To Go Ltd.All rights reserved. Not to be reproduced or stored in any way without the permission of English To Go Ltd. http://www.english-to-go.com English To Go andAnna
Grammar are the registered trade marks of English To Go Ltd. email: editor@english-to-go.com
Exercise 1:
Look at the photos. Put the words in the correct order to answer a question about each photo.
a. Why are they going to the mall?
some / new / To / buy / clothes /
Exercise 2:
Answer these questions using the words below. Add an infinitive to each word prompt.
(One is done for you as an example.)
to buy some stamps, to visit my grandmother, to learn English, to catch a bus
a. Why are you going to evening classes?
I am going to classes... Answer: I am going to classes to learn English.
b. Why are you going to Brisbane next week? Answer: I am going to Brisbane...
c. Why are you going to the post office? Answer: I am going to the post office...
d. Why are you waiting here? Answer: I am waiting here...
Use the words in brackets to answer these questions. One is done for you as an example.
a. Why are you going to the city? (Have lunch with a friend.)
Answer: I am going to the city to have lunch with a friend.
b. Why are you going to the museum? (See the dinosaurs.)
Answer: I am going
c. Why are you going to the library? (Look for some books about space.)
Answer: I am going
d. Why are you waiting? (Get a taxi to the airport.)
Answer: I am
Answer Key:
Exercise 1: Answers
a. To buy some new clothes., b. To answer a question., c. To clean the basin., d. To find her way home.
Exercise 2: Answers
b. I am going to Brisbane to visit my grandmother., c. I am going to post office to buy some stamps., d. I am waiting here to catch a bus.
Exercise 3: Answers
b. I am going to the museum to see the dinosaurs., c. I am going to the library to look for some books about space., d. I am waiting to get a taxi to the airport.
2008 English To Go Ltd.All rights reserved. Not to be reproduced or stored in any way without the permission of English To Go Ltd. http://www.english-to-go.com English To Go andAnna
Grammar are the registered trade marks of English To Go Ltd. email: editor@english-to-go.com
Exercises
Example:
I'M GOING TO THE BANK BECAUSE I WANT TO GET SOME MONEY.
I'M GOING TO THE BANK TO GET SOME MONEY.
1.
2.
She went to the South because she wanted to visit her grandchildren.
__________________________________________________________________________________________
3.
They're going to study hard because they don't want to fail again.
__________________________________________________________________________________________
4.
The dog did all the tricks because it wanted to get the rewards.
__________________________________________________________________________________________
5.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
We will write Claires name in the calendar________________ (not forget) her birthday.
8.
9.
Example:
She is buying nail-polish. She wants to paint her fingernails.
She is buying nail-polish to paint her fingernails.
Pointers: A 'to'-infinitive is used to show purpose: He was sent to france to learn French.
1.
The lion-tamer opened the lians' cage. He intended to fee the lions.
__________________________________________________________________________________________
2.
We were given a money-box each. We are to keep our savings in it. (Omit 'it')
__________________________________________________________________________________________
3.
The farmer put a scarecrow in the middle of the field. He wanted to frighten the crows away.
__________________________________________________________________________________________
4.
5.
Their mother called them. She wanted to tell them the good news.
__________________________________________________________________________________________
6.
The workmen left the red light on the road. They wanted to make motorists aware of the hole.
__________________________________________________________________________________________
7.
They evacuated everybody from the danger zone. They wanted to reduce the risk.
__________________________________________________________________________________________
8.
His parents are sending him to the United States. They want him to study medicine there.
__________________________________________________________________________________________
9.
The thief changed his address constantly. He wanted to elude the police.
__________________________________________________________________________________________
10. My teacher left the classroom. she wanted to discuss a problem with the principal.
__________________________________________________________________________________________
11. They covered the floor with newspaper. They wanted to prevent it from getting paint on it.
__________________________________________________________________________________________
12. The scouts are collecting firewood. They intend to put it on the fire.
__________________________________________________________________________________________
13. He coughed loudly. He wanted to warn them that their father was coming to their room.
__________________________________________________________________________________________
14. The women had their hair dyed at the hairdressing salon. They wanted to look younger than their actual age.
__________________________________________________________________________________________
15. He keeps his hens in an area surrounded by wire-netting. he wants to protect them against wild animals.
__________________________________________________________________________________________
A cooling swim
Two young women were out walking in the country on a hot
summers day when they saw a beautiful lake close to the road.
Its so hot! Lets go for a swim in that lake to cool down!
suggested the first woman.
But we havent got any swimming things to put on, said the
other, We cant swim naked!
Oh, dont worry about that! reassured the first woman, Theres nobody here to see us.
So they took off all their clothes and got into the lovely cool water for a swim.
After only a few minutes they noticed a farmer walking towards the lake carrying a large bucket.
Are you here to ask us to get out of the lake? the first woman asked.
I think hes here to look at us! said the second woman.
The old farmer frowned and held up the bucket for them to see.
No, Im not here to tell you to get out of the lake and I didnt come here to watch you ladies swim naked.
he replied. Im just here to feed the alligator.
Vocabulary exercises
alligator
farmer
pool
feed
naked
_________________________
_________________________
3. to give food to
_________________________
_________________________
_________________________
Complete the sentences using the infinitive of the verbs from the box.
Examples:
a. Sara is going to the shop to buy a new CD. (because she wants to buy a new CD.)
b. Im going to Africa to have a vacation. (because I want to have a vacation)
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
They went to the Natural History museum _________________ about the natural world.
10
Example:
this button / turn on the computer.
You use this button to turn on the computer.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
11
2.
3.
4.
5.