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Infinitive of purpose Exercises

( Free Online English Grammar Lessons )

Read time : 1 minute

Form : ( To + infinitive (Verb 1) )

In English we often use an infinitive with to to talk about a person’s purpose.

  • He rose to speak. (Why did he rise? To speak.)
  • She came to the city to look for work. (Why did she come to the city? To look for work.)
  • He sat down to rest. (Why did he sit down? To rest.)

We can also use 'in order to' or 'so as to'.

  • She came to the city so as to look for work.

'So as to' and 'in order to' are more common before verbs like be, have, know etc.

  • He raised his voice so as to be heard.
  • He got up early in order to have enough time to pack.

Before a negative infinitive, we normally use 'so as' or 'in order'.

  • I am leaving now so as not to be late. (NOT I am leaving now not to be late.)

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.

  • I went to the shop for a newspaper.
Infinitive of purpose example sentences
I knew you were waiting to ask that question!¡Sabía que estabas esperando para preguntarme eso!
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.
I wonder how many times you brought her here to watch the sunset.Me pregunto cuántas veces la trajiste aquí para ver el atardecer.
I need a couple of days to finish my projects...Necesito un par de días para terminar mis proyectos...
So I turned the stove up higher to cook faster.Así que prendí más la estufa para cocinar más rápido.
I think you are doing this on purpose to annoy me.Creo que estás haciendo esto a propósito para enojarme.
I just came to take Mike with me.Sólo he venido a llevarme a Mike.
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?
Yeah, they reduce the price to get rid of them.Sí, reducen los precios para librarse de ellos.
I will try to talk to her to solve the problem!¡Trataré de hablar con ella para resolver el problema!
What? Excuse me! Are you just calling to tell me this now?¿Qué? ¡Perdona! ¿Solo me llamas para decirme esto ahora?
To avoid making my payment!¡Para evitar pagarme!
I'm just calling you to check if you are ready.Solo te llamo para comprobar si estás lista.
Arrgh... I can't believe he suggested leaving Pogo to take the room!!!Arrgh... ¡¡No puedo creer que sugirió que dejara a Pogo para poder ocupar la habitación!!
To guarantee our safety.Para garantizar nuestra seguridad.
No, it's only for people to have fun at an amusement park.No, solo es para que la gente se divierta en el parque de atracciones.
She called me last night to let me know about the clogged toilet...Ella me llamó anoche para decirme lo del inodoro tupido...
Excuse me!? I just played with the kids to keep them entertained.¿¡Perdón!? Sólo jugué con los niños para mantenerlos entretenidos.
Because I need the chicken stock to cook the rice in.Porque necesito el caldo de pollo para cocinar el arroz.

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Be going to
Be going to passive
Be used to / Get used to
Comparative
Defining relative clause
Echo tag
Expression
First conditional
Future
Future continuous
Future perfect continuous
Future perfect passive
Future perfect simple
Future simple passive
Greeting
Have/Get something done
Imperative
Implied conditional
Indirect question
Infinitive of purpose
Interjection
Mixed conditional
Modal
Modal passive
Non-defining relative clause
Other
Past continuous
Past continuous passive
Past perfect continuous
Past perfect passive
Past perfect simple
Past simple
Past simple passive
Polite request / offer / suggestion
Present continuous
Present continuous passive
Present perfect continuous
Present perfect passive
Present perfect simple
Present simple
Present simple passive
Question tag
Reduced relative clause
Reported speech imperative
Reported speech question
Reported speech request
Reported speech statement
Second conditional
Short answer
Superlative
Third conditional
Used to / would (past habit)
Was/were going to
Was/were supposed to
Wish
Would rather
Zero conditional