Infinitive of Purpose: In Order to

Exam in Mind

We can use to + infinitive (infinitive of purpose) to say why we do something. It tells the other person the reason.

In order to is used to express purpose. It answers the question “Why?” In order to is often omitted: He came here in order to study English. He came here to study English.

To express purpose, use (in order to), not for, with a verb. For can be used to express purpose, but it is a preposition and is followed by a noun object: I went to the store for some bread. I went to the store to buy some bread.

Task 1. Make up completions. Express the purpose of the action.

Example: I went to Chicago to … – I went to Chicago to visit my relatives.

                Tom went to Chicago for … – Tom went to Chicago for a business conference.

  1. I went to the market for ____________________________________________________
  2. Mary went to the market to _________________________________________________
  3. I went to the doctor to _____________________________________________________
  4. My son went to the doctor for _______________________________________________
  5. I swim every day to _______________________________________________________
  6. My friend swims every day for ______________________________________________
  7. I drove into the service station to _______________________________________________
  8. They stopped at the service station for ________________________________________

Task 2. Add in order to wherever possible. If nothing should be added, write   –

  1. I went in the garden centre __________ to get some fertilizer for my flowers.
  2. When the teacher asked him a question, Jack pretended __________ to understand what she was saying.
  3. My roommate asked me__________ to clean up the dishes after dinner.
  4. I bought a new screwdriver  __________ to repair my bicycle.
  5. My mother always said I should eat lots of green vegetables __________ to make my body strong.
  6. Mike climbed onto a chair __________ to change a light bulb in the ceiling.
  7. I really want __________ to learn Italian before I visit Venice next year.
  8. I jog three times a week __________ to stay healthy.
  9. It is a good idea __________ to know where your children are at all times.
  10. I need to find her __________ to talk to her.
  11. Rita has to work at two jobs __________ to support herself and her three children.
  12. Jim finally went to the dentist __________ to get some relief from his toothache.
  13. It’s easier for me __________ to understand written English than it is to understand spoken English.
  14. I practice speaking English into a cassette recorder __________ to improve my pronunciation.
  15. It isn’t important __________ to speak English without an accent as long as people understand what you’re saying.

Task 3. Change these sentences so that they have an infinitive of purpose (to + infinitive)

1. I went to Japan because I wanted to learn Japanese.
2. She made a cake because she wanted to please her friend.
3. They study a lot because they want to get good marks.
4. Amanda is going to the party because she wants to meet new people.
5. The children went to the park because they wanted to play football.
6. Jorge studied German because he wanted to get a new job.
7. We went to France because we wanted to eat lots of nice food.
8. She got a new computer because she wanted to write a book.
9. He has been running because he wants to lose weight.
10. We must study every day because we want to improve our English.