In English we often use an infinitive with to to talk about a person’s purpose.
We can also use 'in order to' or 'so as to'.
'So as to' and 'in order to' are more common before verbs like be, have, know etc.
Before a negative infinitive, we normally use 'so as' or 'in order'.
Notes for use of infinitive of purpose :
We say I came here to study English NOT I came here for studying English OR I came here for to study English.
We can use for + noun to say why we do something.
Infinitive of purpose example sentences | |
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She called me last night to let me know about the clogged toilet... | Ella me llamó anoche para decirme lo del inodoro tupido... |
Mike just went to get us some drinks. | Mike acaba de ir a buscar algunas bebidas. |
It requires two people to do it... | Necesita de dos personas para abrirse... |
Arrgh... I can't believe he suggested leaving Pogo to take the room!!! | Arrgh... ¡¡No puedo creer que sugirió que dejara a Pogo para poder ocupar la habitación!! |
Can you check the price tag to see if they are sold by the kilo or individually? | ¿Puedes comprobar el precio para ver si se venden por kilos o individualmente? |
Don't you have a cleaner to help keep the house clean? | ¿No tienes un limpiador para ayudar a mantener la casa limpia? |
I knew you were waiting to ask that question! | ¡Sabía que estabas esperando para preguntarme eso! |
To guarantee our safety. | Para garantizar nuestra seguridad. |
I brought him to see if he gets on well with Bear. | Lo traje para ver si se lleva bien con Bear. |
I will try to talk to her to solve the problem! | ¡Trataré de hablar con ella para resolver el problema! |
To avoid making my payment! | ¡Para evitar pagarme! |
No, it's only for people to have fun at an amusement park. | No, solo es para que la gente se divierta en el parque de atracciones. |
What? Excuse me! Are you just calling to tell me this now? | ¿Qué? ¡Perdona! ¿Solo me llamas para decirme esto ahora? |
Because I need the chicken stock to cook the rice in. | Porque necesito el caldo de pollo para cocinar el arroz. |
You can bring Pogo one day to see if they get on well. | Puedes traer a Pogo un día para ver si se llevan bien. |
Excuse me!? I just played with the kids to keep them entertained. | ¿¡Perdón!? Sólo jugué con los niños para mantenerlos entretenidos. |
So I turned the stove up higher to cook faster. | Así que prendí más la estufa para cocinar más rápido. |
Alright, I need one of you to help me open the door. | De acuerdo, necesito que uno de ustedes dos me ayude a abrir la puerta. |
I already did it a couple of months ago to find this one. | Eso ya lo hice hace un par de meses para encontrar esta. |
Yeah, they reduce the price to get rid of them. | Sí, reducen los precios para librarse de ellos. |