Using 'to' and 'for'
This is a lesson to show how you can add 'why' you are doing an action (or a purpose).
​
Let's start with a simple sentence:
I read this book.
If you want to add 'why' or the reason you went there you can use:
-
to + verb
-
for + noun / noun phrase
I read this book to enjoy it.
​
I read this book for fun.​​
Sentence + to + verb
​
Sentence + for + noun / noun phrase
Using 'to + verb'
Verbs
Vocabulary
Explain - to + verb
We are going to use 'I went to + noun phrase' as the start of every sentence.
I went to the cinema
why?
to see a film.
I went to the cinema to see a film.
I went to the park
to see my friend.
why?
I went to the park to see my friend.
I went to the museum
why?
to see an exhibition.
I went to the museum to see an exhibition.
I went to the shop
why?
to buy shoes.
I went to the shop to buy shoes.
Using to exercises
I went to the train station
why?
Answer - buy
to buy tickets.
Answer
I went to the train station to buy tickets.
I went to the supermarket
why?
Answer - buy
to buy food.
Answer
I went to the supermarket to buy food.
I am changing the tense of the main sentence from past to present.
I go to school
why?
Answer - study
to study English.
Answer
I go to school to study English.
I go to school
why?
Answer - study
to study history.
Answer
I go to school to study history.
I go to school
why?
Answer - study
to study science.
Answer
I go to school to study science.
why?
I go to school
Answer - study
to study maths.
Answer
I go to school to study maths.
Using for exercises
Vocabulary
Department Store
Floor
9th
I went to the 9th floor
why?
for a suit and a tie.
I went to the 9th floor for a suit and a tie.
7th
for lipstick and mascara.
I went to the 7th floor
why?
I went to the 7th floor for lipstick and mascara.
2nd
Answer - necklace and earings
I went to the 2nd floor for a necklace and earings.
Ground
Answer - bread and a cake
I went to the ground floor for bread and a cake.
Gerunds
Gerunds are verbs which have been turned into nouns.
​
ski = skiing
swim = swimming
shop = shopping
​
It is unnatural to using the structure of: for + noun / noun phrase with a gerund.
I went to the gym for swimming.
I went to the gym to swim.
I went to France for skiing.
I went to France to ski.
I went to Taiwan for shopping.
I went to Taiwan to shop.
Conversation
A: You were a long time. Where have you been?
B: I bought Christmas presents for my family. I went to the toy shop for a puzzle. Then I went to the clothes shop for a jumper. Finally, I went to a jewellery shop for a bracelet.
Purpose chunk
From now, we will call 'to + verb' and 'for + noun / noun phrase' purpose chunks. They describe why we do something.
​
Present tense
​
I wake-up at 8am to feed the cat.
She goes to bed at 10pm for a good rest.
​
Past tense
​
He ate fruit and vegetables to get fit.
We drank in that pub for cheap drinks.
​
Future tense
​
They will read Italian books to learn Italian.
You will live in London for work.
​
Present continuous
​
I am wearing a suit to look good.
It is looking at me for its food.