







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 | |
|---|---|
| So I turned the stove up higher to cook faster. | Así que prendí más la estufa para cocinar más rápido. |
| I knew you were waiting to ask that question! | ¡Sabía que estabas esperando para preguntarme eso! |
| We can find you a better house to live in. | Podemos encontrar una mejor casa para que vivas. |
| Yeah, they reduce the price to get rid of them. | Sí, reducen los precios para librarse de ellos. |
| 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? |
| Are you here to talk about this issue, Nick? | ¿Estás aquí para hablar de ese asunto, Nick? |
| 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. |
| Excuse me!? I just played with the kids to keep them entertained. | ¿¡Perdón!? Sólo jugué con los niños para mantenerlos entretenidos. |
| 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!! |
| I wonder how many times you brought her here to watch the sunset. | Me pregunto cuántas veces la trajiste aquí para ver el atardecer. |
| 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... |
| Don't you have a cleaner to help keep the house clean? | ¿No tienes un limpiador para ayudar a mantener la casa limpia? |
| I think she went upstairs to get some sleep. | Creo que ha subido arriba a dormir un poco. |
| To guarantee our safety. | Para garantizar nuestra seguridad. |
| It helped me a lot to save some time. | Me ayudó mucho para ahorrar algo de tiempo. |
| Because I need the chicken stock to cook the rice in. | Porque necesito el caldo de pollo para cocinar el arroz. |
| Alright, I need one of you to help me open the door. | De acuerdo, necesito que uno de ustedes dos me ayude a abrir la puerta. |
| It requires two people to do it... | Necesita de dos personas para abrirse... |