Expressing purpose with ‘to’ and ‘for’

Expressing purpose with to and for

Exercise 3

Fill in the gaps with to + infinitive, for + -ing or for + noun. In each gap, use to or for and the word/s in brackets.

EXAMPLE: I went to the shop to buy (buy) bread.

Please wait...

1I went to the shop (bread).

2This app is used (find) new music.

3I do exercise (reduce) stress.

4I shop online (save) time.

5This park is the perfect place (picnics).

6You can go to the library (find) articles for your project.

7They use social media (entertainment).

8A pen is (write).

9He studied a lot (get) good marks.

10She worked very hard (a promotion).

 Loading...

 

Expressing purpose with to and for

Download full-size image from Pinterest

We can use to + infinitive and for + noun to talk about the purpose of an action or the reason why we do something.

To + infinitive

• I went to the grocery store to buy some vegetables. 
• I studied hard to pass the exam.

For + noun

• Let’s go to the pub for a drink. 
• We climbed to the top for the views.

Compare to vs for

• I went to the shop to buy some milk. 
• I went to the shop for some milk. 

For + -ing

Don’t use for + -ing verb to talk about why we do something

We don’t use for + -ing verb to say what is the purpose of our actions, why we do something.

• I work hard for improving my English.
• I work hard to improve my English.
• Turn the TV on for watching the news.
• Turn the TV on to watch the news.

Use for + -ing verb to talk about the purpose or function of an object

We can use to + infinitive or for + ing verb to talk about the purpose or function of a thing, what an object is used for.

• This machine is used for cleaning cars.
• This machine is used to clean cars.
• This is a special camera for photographing small objects.  
• This is a special camera to photograph small objects.