To… For… and So that

TO

TO tells us the purpose of something: why somebody does something, has something, needs something etc., or why something exists.

Examples:

• I called the restaurant to reserve a table.
• What do you need to make bread?
• We shouted to warn everybody of the danger.
• This letter is to confirm the decisions we made at our meeting last week.
• The president has a team of bodyguards to protect him.

We say ‘a place to park’, ‘something to eat’, ‘work to do’ etc. Sometimes there is a preposition (on, with, etc.) after the verb:

Examples:

• It’s hard to find a place to park in the city center. (= a place where you can park)
• Would you like something to eat? (= something that you can eat)
• Do you have much work to do? (= work that you must do)
• Is there a chair to sit on? (= a chair that I can sit on)
• I get lonely if there’s nobody to talk to.
• I need something to open this bottle with.

FOR

We use FOR with nouns and with Ving to say what something is used for.

Examples:

• I did it for you
• We stopped for petrol
• This brush is for washing the dishes

We use What…for to ask about purpose.

Examples:

• What is this switch for? (= what is it used for?)
• What did you do that for? (= why did you do that?)

SO THAT

We use So that (not to …) especially with can/could and will/would. You can leave out that.

Examples:

• She’s learning English so (that) she can study in Canada.
• We moved to London so (that) we could see our friends more often.
• I hurried so (that) I wouldn’t be late.
  (= because I didn’t want to be late)
• I hurried so (that) I wouldn’t be late.

Complete these sentences using TO + a suitable verb.

1 The president has a team of bodyguards to protect him.
2 I don’t have enough time _____ all the things I have to do.
3 I came home by taxi. I didn’t have the energy_____ .
4 Would you like _____ something? Coffee? Tea?
5 Can you give me a bag _____ these things in?
6 There will be a meeting next week_____ the problem.
7 Do you need a visa  _____ to the United States?
8 I saw Helen at the party, but I didn’t have a chance _____ to her.
9 I need some new clothes. I don’t have anything nice _____.
10 They’ve passed their exams. They’re going to have a party _____.
11 I can’t do all this work alone. I need somebody _____ me.
12 Why are you so scared? There’s nothing _____ afraid of.

Put in TO or FOR.

1 We stopped for petrol.
2 We’ll need time _____ make a decision.
3 I went to the dentist _____ a check-up.
4 He’s very old. He needs somebody _____ take care of him.
5 Can you lend me money _____ a taxi?
6 Do you wear glasses _____ reading?
7 I put on my glasses _____  read the letter.
8 I wish we had a garden _____ the children _____ play in.

Make one sentence from two, using SO THAT.

1 I hurried. I didn’t want to be late.
I hurried so that I wouldn’t be late.

2 I wore warm clothes. I didn’t want to get cold.
I wore warm clothes _____ 

3 I gave Mark my phone number. I wanted him to be able to contact me.
I gave Mark my phone number_____ 

4 We spoke very quietly. We didn’t want anybody else to hear us.
We spoke very quietly _____  nobody else _____ 

5 Please arrive early. We want to be able to start the meeting on time.
Please arrive early_____ 

6 We made a list of things to do. We didn’t want to forget anything.
We made a list of things to do_____ 

7 I slowed down. I wanted the car behind me to be able to overtake.
I slowed down _____