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Explain purpose with to + base verb for an action, or for + noun/-ing form for the purpose or function of a thing.
Overview
Explain purpose with to + base verb for an action, or for + noun/-ing form for the purpose or function of a thing.
Form and rules
Use to + base verb to say why someone does something: I called to ask a question.
Use for + noun to say the purpose of an object or action: This bag is for books.
Use for + -ing to describe the function of something: This tool is for opening cans.
Do not use for + base verb: say I went to buy bread, not for buy bread.
In order to is a more formal alternative to to for purpose.
A closer look
Do not use for + base verb: say I went to buy bread, not for buy bread.
In order to is a more formal alternative to to for purpose.
Examples
I went out to buy milk.
This knife is for cutting bread.
We use this room for meetings.
She called to speak to the manager.
He left early in order to catch the train.
Common mistakes
Purpose of an action uses to + base verb.
Function after for commonly uses -ing.
Ready to practise?
The test combines multiple choice, gap completion, error correction, and sentence building so students have to recognise and produce the grammar, not simply reread the rule.