/Verbs & Verb Patterns
B1Verbs & Verb Patterns

Infinitives of Purpose

1

What is it?

Use TO + BASE VERB to explain WHY you do something (the purpose/reason): "I study to improve my English" (= I study because I want to improve). Also called INFINITIVE OF PURPOSE. It answers the question "Why?" or "What for?". Can be replaced by IN ORDER TO (more formal) or SO AS TO (very formal): "I study in order to improve" / "I study so as to improve". Negative: "I left early in order NOT to miss the bus" or "so as not to miss". Common after: go, come, stop (pause), use, need: "I went to buy milk" / "Come to see me" / "Use this app to learn English".

2

How to form it

SubjectPositiveNegativeQuestion
TO + verb (purpose)I study to improve. / I went to buy milk. / She called to say hello. / He stopped to rest.I left early (in order) not to be late.Why did you go? - To buy milk.
IN ORDER TO (formal)I study in order to improve. / She saved money in order to travel.I left in order not to miss the bus.Why? - In order to learn.
SO AS TO (very formal)I arrived early so as to get a good seat. / He spoke slowly so as to be understood.She left so as not to disturb us.not commonly used
Common verbs + infinitivego to buy, come to see, stop to rest, use to learn, need to practicenot applicablenot applicable
  • • TO + base verb: shows PURPOSE (why you do something) → I study to improve
  • • Answers WHY or WHAT FOR → Why do you study? To improve my English.
  • • IN ORDER TO: more formal alternative → I study in order to improve
  • • SO AS TO: very formal/written → I arrived early so as to get a seat
  • • Negative: in order NOT to / so as NOT to → I left early in order not to be late
  • • Common after: go, come, stop (pause), use, need, leave, arrive
  • • NOT the same as: FOR + -ing (general use) → This is for cutting (what it does)
  • • Position: usually after main verb → I went to buy milk (not: To buy milk I went*)
3

When to use it

  1. 1

    TO + verb — show purpose/reason

    "I study to improve my English." (= because I want to improve) / "She went to buy food." / "He called to say hello." / "They stopped to rest."

  2. 2

    IN ORDER TO — more formal purpose

    "I study in order to improve." / "She saved money in order to travel." / "He exercises in order to stay healthy."

  3. 3

    SO AS TO — very formal/written purpose

    "I arrived early so as to get a good seat." / "He spoke slowly so as to be understood." / "She whispered so as not to wake the baby."

  4. 4

    Negative purpose — in order NOT to / so as NOT to

    "I left early in order not to miss the bus." / "She spoke quietly so as not to disturb anyone." / "He saved money in order not to go into debt."

  5. 5

    After movement verbs — go, come, leave, arrive

    "I went to buy milk." / "Come to see me!" / "She left to catch the train." / "He arrived early to prepare."

  6. 6

    After: use, need, stop (pause)

    "Use this app to learn English." / "I need time to think." / "He stopped to rest." (pause to rest, not quit resting)

4

Common mistakes

I study for improve my English.

I study to improve my English.

Use TO (not FOR) before verb to show purpose.

I went for buy milk.

I went to buy milk.

Use TO + base verb (not FOR + verb) for purpose.

I left early for not miss the bus.

I left early in order not to miss the bus. / so as not to miss the bus.

Negative purpose: in order NOT to / so as NOT to.

To buy milk, I went to the store. (unnatural word order)

I went to the store to buy milk.

Purpose usually comes AFTER the main verb in English.

5

Quick reference

  • TO + verb: shows WHY/purpose → I study to improve
  • Alternatives: IN ORDER TO (formal), SO AS TO (very formal)
  • Negative: in order NOT to, so as NOT to
  • After: go, come, stop, use, need, leave, arrive
  • I went to buy milk (not: for buy*)
  • Use TO (not FOR) before verbs for purpose
6

Natural conversation example

Discussing daily plans

T

Tom

Why did you wake up so early?
L

Lisa

I woke up early to finish my homework before class.
T

Tom

That's smart! I need to go to the store to buy some food.
L

Lisa

Can you stop to get coffee on the way back?
T

Tom

Sure! I'll leave now in order not to be late.
L

Lisa

Thanks! I'm studying hard in order to pass my exam next week.
T

Tom

You'll do great! Use this app to practice more.

Practice Exercises

Complete with TO + verb.

  1. 1.
    I study improve my English. (purpose)
  2. 2.
    She went buy food.
  3. 3.
    He called say hello.
  4. 4.
    I need time think.
  5. 5.
    They stopped rest.
  6. 6.
    Use this app learn English.
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