Infinitive of purpose

INFINITIVE OF PURPOSE

In English, we can tell people why we are doing something or why we are going somewhere in different ways. One easy way is to use the infinitive of a verb – to buy, to meet, to see.  In English grammar, we describe this as ‘infinitive of purpose’.

Here are some examples:

I’m going to the Mall to buy a new computer.

Mary is going to China to learn Chinese.

I’m going to Tom’s house to help him with his homework

I want to see the manager to tell him about a problem.

I sat down to rest and to think about my life.

I’m going downtown to get my hair cut.

……

We can also give short replies with an infinitive. Here are three examples:

1. ‘Where are you going?’

“The Post Office.”

‘Why?’

“To buy some stamps.“

…..

2. “I’m going to the Mall.”

‘Why?’

“To buy a new computer.”

…

3. ‘Why is Uyen going to Melbourne?”

“To study economics.”

EXTRA PRACTICE

http://www.englishexercises.org/makeagame/viewgame.asp?id=4685
http://www.autoenglish.org/generalgrammar/PurposeExercise.htm
http://learnenglish.britishcouncil.org/en/english-grammar/verbs/infinitive