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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 to study English

I go to school

why?

Answer - study

to study English.

Answer

I go to school to study English.

I go to school to study history

I go to school

why?

Answer - study

to study history.

Answer

I go to school to study history.

I go to school to study science

I go to school

why?

Answer - study

to study science.

Answer

I go to school to study science.

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

for a noun

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 a noun

for lipstick and mascara.

I went to the 7th floor

why?

I went to the 7th floor for lipstick and mascara.

2nd

For a noun
Answer - necklace and earings

I went to the 2nd floor for a necklace and earings.

Ground

Bakery
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.

Image by hosein charbaghi
Fish Puzzle
Hip Clothing Shop
Sweater
Jewelry Expert
Gold 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.

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