Infinitive of purpose
I went out to buy bread: to + verb says why we do something, and for + noun.
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To say why someone does something, English uses to + verb: I went to the shop to buy bread. We don't need a word like for before it. With a noun instead of a verb, we use for: I went to the shop for some bread.
To + verb: the reason
Put to + verb after the action. It answers the question Why?
- I went to the post office to send a parcel.
- She's learning English to get a better job.
- We got up early to catch the first train.
- I'm calling to ask about the flat.
Not for + verb
In many languages a word like "for" comes before the reason. In English, the verb only needs to.
- Incorrect: I went out for buy some bread.
- Correct: I went out to buy some bread.The reason is to + verb. Don't put for before it.
- Incorrect: He came to London for to study.
- Correct: He came to London to study.For and to don't go together here. Use only to.
For + noun
When the reason is a noun, use for.
For + noun | To + verb |
|---|---|
We went out for a walk. | We went out to get some fresh air. |
Let's stop for lunch. | Let's stop to have lunch. |
I went to the shop for milk. | I went to the shop to buy milk. |
- I'm here for a job interview.
- Shall we go for a coffee?
- Incorrect: We stopped in a small town to dinner.
- Correct: We stopped in a small town for dinner.Dinner is a noun, so use for. With a verb: to have dinner.
Short answers to why
We often answer a Why question with just to + verb.
- "Why did you go to the bank?" "To get some cash."
- "Why are you learning Spanish?" "To talk to my wife's family."
- Incorrect: "Why did you call him?" "For ask about the meeting."
- Correct: "Why did you call him?" "To ask about the meeting."
You can also answer with because: Because I wanted to ask about the meeting.
What a thing is for: for + -ing
To say what a thing is used for, we often use for + -ing. This is about the thing, not about a person's reason.
- This knife is for cutting bread.
- What's this button for? It's for turning the light on.
- I need an app for learning new words.
For a person's reason, use to + verb.
- I bought this knife to cut bread.
(My reason for buying it.)
In order to
In order to means the same as to, but it is more formal. It is common in writing and at work.
- We are closing the road in order to repair it.
- Please arrive early in order to find a seat.
For a negative reason, it is simpler to say it another way: I left early because I didn't want to miss the bus.
Come and see, go and get
After come and go, British English often uses and + verb instead of to, especially in speech and in imperatives.
- Come and see us at the weekend.
- I'll go and get some coffee.