In English we often use an infinitive with to to talk about a person’s purpose.
We can also use 'in order to' or 'so as to'.
'So as to' and 'in order to' are more common before verbs like be, have, know etc.
Before a negative infinitive, we normally use 'so as' or 'in order'.
Notes for use of infinitive of purpose :
We say I came here to study English NOT I came here for studying English OR I came here for to study English.
We can use for + noun to say why we do something.
Infinitive of purpose example sentences | |
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To avoid making my payment! | ¡Para evitar pagarme! |
To guarantee our safety. | Para garantizar nuestra seguridad. |
Can you check the price tag to see if they are sold by the kilo or individually? | ¿Puedes comprobar el precio para ver si se venden por kilos o individualmente? |
I took a half day off work to bring Pogo to the vet. | Tomé un medio día libre en el trabajo para llevar a Pogo al veterinario. |
Because I need the chicken stock to cook the rice in. | Porque necesito el caldo de pollo para cocinar el arroz. |
I'm here with a plumber to fix the clogged toilet. | Estoy aquí con un plomero para arreglar el inodoro tupido. |
We can find you a better house to live in. | Podemos encontrar una mejor casa para que vivas. |
Don't you have a cleaner to help keep the house clean? | ¿No tienes un limpiador para ayudar a mantener la casa limpia? |
Mike just went to get us some drinks. | Mike acaba de ir a buscar algunas bebidas. |
I think you are doing this on purpose to annoy me. | Creo que estás haciendo esto a propósito para enojarme. |
It helped me a lot to save some time. | Me ayudó mucho para ahorrar algo de tiempo. |
She called me last night to let me know about the clogged toilet... | Ella me llamó anoche para decirme lo del inodoro tupido... |
Yeah, they reduce the price to get rid of them. | Sí, reducen los precios para librarse de ellos. |
It requires two people to do it... | Necesita de dos personas para abrirse... |
Are you here to talk about this issue, Nick? | ¿Estás aquí para hablar de ese asunto, Nick? |
You can bring Pogo one day to see if they get on well. | Puedes traer a Pogo un día para ver si se llevan bien. |
I just came to take Mike with me. | Sólo he venido a llevarme a Mike. |
I knew you were waiting to ask that question! | ¡Sabía que estabas esperando para preguntarme eso! |
So I turned the stove up higher to cook faster. | Así que prendí más la estufa para cocinar más rápido. |
Maybe it's better for us to meet up somewhere to talk about this. | Tal vez es mejor que nos reunamos en otro lado para hablar sobre esto. |