A. We use to ... to say why somebody does something (= the purpose of an action): * 'Why did you go out?' 'To mail a letter.' * A friend of mine phoned to invite me to a party. * We shouted to warn everybody of the danger.
We use to... to say why something exists or why somebody has/wants/needs something: * This wall is to keep people out of the garden. * The President has a team of bodyguards to protect him. * I need a bottle opener to open this bottle.
B. We use to ... to say what can be done or must be done with something:
* It's difficult to find a place to park in the city centre. (= a place where you can park) * Would you like something to eat? * Have you got much work to do? (= work that you must do) * I get lonely if there's nobody to talk to.
Also: money/time/chance/opportunity/energy/courage etc. to (do something): * They gave us some money to buy some food. * Do you have much opportunity to practice your English? * I need a few days to think about your proposal.
C. For ... and to ... Compare: * I'm going to Spain for a holiday.
but I'm going to Spain to learn Spanish. (not 'for learn Spanish', not 'for learning Spanish')
We use for + noun (for a holiday) but to + verb (to learn). Some more examples: * What would you like for dinner?
but What would you like to eat? (not 'for eat') * Let's go to the pool for a swim.
but Let's go to the pool to have a swim.
Note that you can say ... for (somebody) to (do something): * There weren't any chairs for us to sit on, so we had to sit on the floor.
You can use for ~ing to say what the general purpose of a thing is. To... is also possible:
* This knife is only for cutting bread. (or ... to cut bread.)
You can use What ... for? to ask about purpose: * What is this switch for? * What did you do that for?
D. So that
Sometimes you have to use so that for purpose. We use so that (not to ...):
i) when the purpose is negative (so that ... won't/wouldn't): * I hurried so that I wouldn't be late. (= because I didn't want to be late) * Leave early so that you won't (or don't) miss the bus.
ii) with can and could (so that ... can/could) * She's learning English so that she can study in Canada. * We moved to London so that we could visit our friends more often.
iii) when one person does something so that another person does something else: * I gave her my address so that she could contact me. * He wore glasses and a false beard so that nobody would recognize him.
Exercise 1:
Complete these sentences using a suitable verb. 1. I didn't have enough time ---------- the newspaper today. 2. I came home by taxi. I didn't have the energy --------. 3. 'Would you like something --------?' 'Yes, please. A cup of coffee.' 4. We need a bag ----------------------- these things in. 5. There will be a meeting next week ------------------ the problem.
Exercise 2:
Put in, to or for. 1. You need a lot of experience ---------- this job. 2. We'll need more time -------------- make a decision. 3. I went to the dentist ------------- a check-up. 4. I had to put on my glasses -------------- read the letter. 7. I wish we had a garden ----------- the children ---------------- play in.
Vince: Where are you going? Ryan: I뭢 going to the dentist. Vince: Why? Ryan: To have my yearly check-up. Vince: So, you visit the doctor once a year? Ryan: No, I go there twice a year, so that I뭢 sure that I have healthy teeth and gums. Vince: Wow! That was nice. I don뭪 know that! Ryan; Now that you know you have to visit your dentist too. It뭩 for your own good.
1.How do you take care of your teeth? 2.Is it wise to visit the doctor twice a year? How often do you visit your dentist? 3.Do you avoid certain foods that might ruin or stain your teeth?
