Complex Sentences: Purpose (To/For/So That)

I am sure that I should know English to get a well-paid job.

If we want to express purpose, we can use “for”, “to”, or “so that”.

To show the purpose of an action we can use a to – infinitive.

Mary is going to Switzerland to visit her mum.

I went to the bakery to buy a loaf of bread.

We can also use a to + infinitive to say why something or somebody exists.

The policeman is here to prevent a potential crime.

Here is an example to show you how to fill the blank.

For negative purposes, we use “in order not to” or “so as not to” + infinitive.

Anna walked in quietly in order not to wake up her father.

To introduce clauses of purpose, we can also use “so that”.

a clause (action) + “so that” + a clause (purpose).

Tom bought his daughter a car so that she didn’t have to go on foot.

To say that one action makes another action possible, we can use “so that” + modal verbs.

I am learning English so that I can find a better job.

We arrived at the airport early so that we would have time to buy some souvenirs.

If we want to say that one action will help us avoid doing another action, we can use “so that” with modal verbs and structures such as “can”, “could”, “have to”, etc.

I’m going to study this evening so that I don’t have to study at the weekend.

When we want to say that one action will prevent another action, we can use “so that” + “don’t”, “won’t” or we can use them in the past as well.

I am going to wear a raincoat so that I won’t get wet.

I wore a raincoat so that I didn't get wet.

We also use “for” + noun to express purpose.

We went abroad for a better life.

I’m so hungry, I’m going out for some snacks.

We use “for” + gerund to refer to the reason or the function of something. However, we don’t use “for” + -ing to express purpose, we should use a to-infinitive structure instead.

We’re going to Paris to visit Anna.

We’re going to Paris for visiting Anna.

We’re going for visit Anna.