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.