Syllabus topic 25: Expressing purpose — to / for
Expressing purpose — to / for. Use to + base verb to explain an action's purpose.
Use to + base verb to explain an action's purpose. For + noun can state purpose or recipient, and for + -ing can describe a thing's function. Do not use for to as a standard purpose construction.
Notice how each form fits its sentence. Read the context before choosing a form.
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Practice my mistakesBack to my daily planI went out ___ buy bread.
Your answer: Unanswered
Correct answer: to
Completed sentence: I went out to buy bread. Use to + base verb to explain an action's purpose. For + noun can state purpose or recipient, and for + -ing can describe a thing's function. Do not use for to as a standard purpose construction.
This knife is for ___ vegetables.
Your answer: Unanswered
Correct answer: cutting
Completed sentence: This knife is for cutting vegetables. Use to + base verb to explain an action's purpose. For + noun can state purpose or recipient, and for + -ing can describe a thing's function. Do not use for to as a standard purpose construction.
We stopped ___ a rest.
Your answer: Unanswered
Correct answer: for
Completed sentence: We stopped for a rest. Use to + base verb to explain an action's purpose. For + noun can state purpose or recipient, and for + -ing can describe a thing's function. Do not use for to as a standard purpose construction.
She called ___ ask a question.
Your answer: Unanswered
Correct answer: to
Completed sentence: She called to ask a question. Use to + base verb to explain an action's purpose. For + noun can state purpose or recipient, and for + -ing can describe a thing's function. Do not use for to as a standard purpose construction.
I bought this gift ___ you.
Your answer: Unanswered
Correct answer: for
Completed sentence: I bought this gift for you. Use to + base verb to explain an action's purpose. For + noun can state purpose or recipient, and for + -ing can describe a thing's function. Do not use for to as a standard purpose construction.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: to
Completed sentence: I went out to buy bread. Use to + base verb to explain an action's purpose. For + noun can state purpose or recipient, and for + -ing can describe a thing's function. Do not use for to as a standard purpose construction.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: cutting
Completed sentence: This knife is for cutting vegetables. Use to + base verb to explain an action's purpose. For + noun can state purpose or recipient, and for + -ing can describe a thing's function. Do not use for to as a standard purpose construction.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: for
Completed sentence: We stopped for a rest. Use to + base verb to explain an action's purpose. For + noun can state purpose or recipient, and for + -ing can describe a thing's function. Do not use for to as a standard purpose construction.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: to
Completed sentence: She called to ask a question. Use to + base verb to explain an action's purpose. For + noun can state purpose or recipient, and for + -ing can describe a thing's function. Do not use for to as a standard purpose construction.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: for
Completed sentence: I bought this gift for you. Use to + base verb to explain an action's purpose. For + noun can state purpose or recipient, and for + -ing can describe a thing's function. Do not use for to as a standard purpose construction.
Keep learning
Continue this topic or practice every English skill at the same level.
15 min · Infinitive / Gerund
10 min · Travel
10 min · Monologue
10 min · Story
15 min · Mixed practice
10 min · Writing
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