What is the Infinitive of Purpose?
The infinitive of purpose is a grammar structure that explains the *reason* or *goal* behind an action. It answers the question “Why?”
- We form it with to followed by the base form of a verb.
- For example, if you ask Why did you call me?, the answer could be I called you to ask about the party. Here, to ask is the infinitive of purpose.
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Realice nuestra prueba de nivel GRATUITAHow Do We Use the Infinitive of Purpose?
We use this structure to show the intention or aim of an action. It often follows verbs that describe movement or activity.
- You can use it after verbs like go, come, travel, study, call, buy, and many others.
- Think of it as explaining the *purpose* of the main verb in the sentence.
- For instance, She went to the library to borrow a book. (to borrow a book is the reason she went).
Infinitive of Purpose vs. Other Uses of 'To'
La palabra to has many uses in English. It can be a preposition or part of an infinitive verb.
- When to is followed by the base form of a verb and explains *why* something happens, it is the infinitive of purpose.
- Ejemplo: I study English to get a better job. (Purpose)
- Be careful not to confuse it with to as a preposition, like in I go to school (here school is a noun).
- Also, some verbs are followed by to + infinitive as part of their structure, like I want to learn. This is not always purpose. The key is asking "Why?".
| Structure | What it explains | Example |
|---|---|---|
| To + base verb | The reason for an action | I went to the library to study. |
| For + noun | The purpose of an object or thing | This machine is for making coffee. |
Ejemplos
- I went to the supermarket to buy some fruit.
- She called her friend to invite her to the party.
- He studies hard to pass his exams.
- They traveled to Spain to learn Spanish.
- We stopped the car to take a picture.
Práctica
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Spanish speakers often make a common mistake by using for + -ing o for + noun when they mean purpose with a verb.
- Incorrecto: I went to the library for studying.
- Correcto: I went to the library to study.
- Incorrecto: She bought a new phone for calls. (While for calls is grammatically possible, to make calls is the common way to express purpose with a verb.)
- Correcto: She bought a new phone to make calls.
Remember, for purpose with a verb, always use to + base form of the verb.
Preguntas más frecuentes
What is the infinitive of purpose?
It is a grammar structure using to + the base form of a verb. It explains the reason or goal for an action. For example, I exercise to stay healthy.
Can I use 'for' instead of 'to' for purpose?
Se utiliza to + base verb for purpose with an action (e.g., I read to learn). You can use for + noun to talk about the purpose of an object (e.g., This pen is for writing), but not for + -ing verb when explaining the purpose of an action.
How is the infinitive of purpose important for the A2 Key exam?
In the A2 Key (KET) exam, you need to communicate clearly. Using the infinitive of purpose correctly, for example, in writing tasks like I'm writing to ask about... o I want to meet to discuss..., helps you express your intentions and reasons accurately, which is important for a good score.
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