To
For
So (that)
TO tells us the purpose of something: why somebody does something, has something, needs something etc., or why something exists.
I called the restaurant (why?) to reserve a table.
We use FOR with nouns and with Ving to say what something is used for.
We stopped for (+noun) petrol
This brush is for (general purpose of a brush) washing the dishes
We use So that (not to …) especially with can/could and will/would. You can leave out that.
We moved to London so (that) we could see our friends more often
- Grammar
- Exercises
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 _____