CLAUSES OF PURPOSE
PURPOSE CLAUSES
Broadly speaking there are two types of clauses of purpose, those in which the purpose is introduced by a to-infinitive and those in which a that-clause is used.
Example: I played to win (to-inf.)
I opened so that he could go in.
The purpose clauses with to-inf are more likely to appear in more informal and spoken English, which does not mean they are banned from written language, while the that-clause with finite verb (conjugated verb as for example: he plays / they run / I am /etc) is more formal. (As a rule of thumb, it can be said that those grammar structures that are easier to produce are usually informal and spoken, and those which are more difficult are usually formal and mostly written)
CONTENTS
- with to-infinitive or its negative not to-infinitive
- with in order to or its negative in order not to
- with so as to or its negative so as not to
- with so that + relative clause (the negative form in the that-clause)
- with in order that (the negative form in the that-clause)
- with to+infinitive or for+ing
1. to-infinitive
They got up early to arrive on time. Their intention was not to wake you up.
I came to play, but it's pouring. Not to bother you, I stayed at home.
Rewrite the sentences using "to-infinitive" instead of the words in red. Key below.
- They bought a plot of land with the view of building a house on it.
- He left home with the intention of catching up with her before she arrived at the office.
- She's moved to Brechin because she has the intention of living near her office.
2. in order to
WITHOUT SUBJECT
They bought the house in order to sell it.
She makes up so much in order to hide her age.
They jumped behind a fence in order not to be seen by the neighbours.
He didn't go in order not to meet his ex.
WITH SUBJECT
She opened the door in order for the cat to enter.
They shouted at the neighbours in order for them to turn off the music.
EXERCISES
Rewrite the sentences using "in order to" instead of the words in red. Key below.
1. They went to England with the intention of taking a course on aeronautics.
2. She bought the office with the view of establishing as a lawyer some day.
3. She turned the music down because she didn't want to keep the neighbours awake.
4. She hid in the bushes with the intention of not being seen by her pursuers.
5. He rowed across the river because he didn't want the lion to catch him.
6. He bought another phone because he wanted his son to have one.
WITH SUBJECT
She opened the door in order for the cat to enter.
They shouted at the neighbours in order for them to turn off the music.
EXERCISES
Rewrite the sentences using "in order to" instead of the words in red. Key below.
1. They went to England with the intention of taking a course on aeronautics.
2. She bought the office with the view of establishing as a lawyer some day.
3. She turned the music down because she didn't want to keep the neighbours awake.
4. She hid in the bushes with the intention of not being seen by her pursuers.
5. He rowed across the river because he didn't want the lion to catch him.
6. He bought another phone because he wanted his son to have one.
3. so as to
They buy wholesale so as to make a profit on selling.
She went to Tierra del Fuego so as to get away.
He never goes out without his wig and false moustache so as not to be recognized.
They never sail so as not to get seasick
EXERCISES
Rewrite the sentences using "so as to" instead of the words in red. Key below.
1. She opened the window with the intention of letting fresh air in.
2. They left early with the intention of not missing the plane.
3. They bought a house near the beach with the view of spending the holidays there.
4. She left before he arrived because she didn't want to see him.
EXERCISES
Rewrite the sentences using "so as to" instead of the words in red. Key below.
1. She opened the window with the intention of letting fresh air in.
2. They left early with the intention of not missing the plane.
3. They bought a house near the beach with the view of spending the holidays there.
4. She left before he arrived because she didn't want to see him.
4. so that
"Rule one: always arrive on time so that nobody can complain.
"Remember to take a map with you so that you won't get lost"
"I phoned them so that they got to know about it"
EXERCISES
Rewrite the sentences using a "so that" instead of the words in red. Key below.
1. I locked all the doors and windows with the intention that they couldn't get in.
2. The child asked his parents before leaving because he didn't want them to reprimand him.
3. She told him of the exhibition because she didn't want him to miss it.
4. We went to the exhibition because we wanted her to see us.
5. in order that
She used to spend one month a year in Paris in order that her children could practise their French.
They opened the door of the stable in order that the horses could escape the fire.
The doors of the cathedral were opened wide in order that the procession could enter.
The law brought into force was very severe in order that no offender should escape.
Fireman risk their lives in order that others can save theirs.
They carved their names in the trunk in order that future visitors might know about them
NOTICE the modal verb in the that-clause. This is very formal.
EXERCISES
Rewrite the sentences using a "in order that" instead of the words in red. Key below.
1. The judge summoned the accused so as to hear his plea.
2. The manager convened a meeting in order for the employees to give an explanation.
3. The government passed a law in order for the union to call off the never-ending strike.
4. In order for your application to be admitted, you should include all the information required.
5. I agree on going to Ireland every year in order for my children to learn English.
6. "to+infinitive" vs "for+ing"
Brushes are used for painting but I use this one to clean the keyboard.
Notice: for+ing introduces general purpose, finality, of something or an action, while
to+ infinitive indicates a particular use or purpose. The subject needn't be singular: you
can have many oranges to make marmalade.
Trolleys are for carrying food at the supermarket, but this one I have at home is to
carry my books from one room to the other.
NO EXERCISES FOR THIS ONE
KEY
1. to-infinitive EXERCISES
1. They bought a plot of land to build a house on (it).
2. He left home to catch up with her before she arrived at the office.
3. She's moved to Brechin to live near her office.
2. "in order to" EXERCISES
1. They went to England in order to take a course on aeronautics.
2. She bought the office in order to establish as a lawyer some day.
3. She turned the music down in order not to keep the neighbours awake.
4. She hid in the bushes in order not to be seen by her pursuers.
5. He rowed across the river in order for the lion not to catch him. (funny)
6. He bought another phone in order for his son to have one.
3. "so as to" EXERCISES
1. She opened the window so as to let fresh air in.
2. They left early so as not to miss the plane.
3. They bought a house near the beach so as to spend the holidays there.
4. She left before he arrived so as not to see him.
4. "so that" EXERCISES
1. I locked all the doors and windows so that they couldn't get in.
2. The child asked his parents before leaving so that they wouldn't reprimand him.
3. She told him of the exhibition so that he wouldn't miss it.
4. We went to the exhibition so that she could see us.
5. in order that EXERCISES
1. The judge summoned the accused in order that he could hear his plea.
2. The manager convened a meeting in order that the employees could give an explanation.
3. The government passed a law in order that the union should call off the never-ending strike.
4. So that your application (should) be admitted, you should include all the information required.
5. I agree on going to Ireland every year in order that my children can learn English.
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