Table of Contents
Introduction:
In English grammar, we express purpose using prepositions, conjunctions, and purpose words. This article breaks down each type with clear examples. But first, let’s grasp the meaning of “purpose” in English.
What Does “Purpose” Mean?
In English, “purpose” refers to the reason or objective behind an action. It is the intention or aim that drives a particular effort. Consider the following example:
- She studies hard to pass her exams.
The purpose (passing exams) in the above example is expressed using the prepositional phrase “to pass her exams.“
We can express purpose using not only prepositional phrases but also conjunctions and other purpose words.
Let’s look at each in more detail.
Expressing Purpose In English Grammar
In English grammar, expressing purpose is done through prepositional phrases like “in order to,” “so as to,” “to,” and “for.” Additionally, conjunctions such as “so that,” in order that, “”in case,” and “lest” are used.
1. Purpose “To”, “In Order To”, And “So As To”
A. Use “to“, “so as to“, and “in order to” to express purpose in the affirmative form.
Examples:
- He is looking for a part-time job to save some pocket money.
- She wakes up early in order to be on time to work.
- They visited him so as to offer their condolences for the death of his wife.
B. Use “so as not to” and “in order not to” to express purpose in the negative form.
Examples:
- They woke up early in order not to be late.
- She exercises regularly so as not to get fat.
- He helped the new policewoman so as not to fail in her first mission.
To-infinitive Vs. Preposition of Purpose
It is crucial to avoid confusing the preposition “to” with the infinitive marker “to.”
Although both are followed by the base form of the verb, the preposition ‘to’ used to express purpose creates a prepositional phrase functioning as an adverb of purpose. This preposition can be interchanged with “in order to” or “so as to” to convey purpose.
A helpful way to differentiate between the “to-infinitive” and “preposition of purpose” lies in the ability to rearrange clauses within a sentence.
Consider the examples:
| Structure | Original Example | Inversion Example | Correct? |
|---|---|---|---|
| To-infinitive | “I am going to work out today.” | “ | No |
| Preposition of Purpose | “I work out every day to stay fit.” | “To stay fit, I work out every day.” | Yes |
2. Expressing Purpose With “So that”, “In Order That”, “In Case”, And “Lest”
A. You can also express purpose with “so that” and “in order that“, In this case, you generally need to use a modal.
Examples:
- He turned down the music so that he wouldn’t disturb the neighbors.
- He got a visa so that he could travel to the USA.
- He decided to stay in England for a while in order that he could practice his English.
- She saved money diligently in order that she could travel around the world.
B. The expression “in case” is commonly used as a phrase that indicates a precaution or a possible future event for which someone is preparing. It implies that the action in the main clause is taken as a precautionary measure in anticipation of a potential event. Here’s an example:
- Example:
- She packed an umbrella in case it rains.
In this sentence, “in case” introduces the purpose or precaution (packing an umbrella) in anticipation of the potential event (rain).
Here are more example sentences with “in case“:
- He took an extra set of keys, just in case he misplaced the main ones.
- She packed some snacks in her backpack, in case she got hungry on the hike.
- They brought a first aid kit in the car, in case of any minor injuries during the road trip.
- He carried a portable phone charger in his pocket, in case his phone battery ran low.
C. “Lest” is used to express a negative purpose or to indicate a precautionary measure to avoid a possible undesirable outcome. Typically, “lest” is followed by a clause or phrase that describes the negative consequence or situation that one wants to prevent. Here’s the structure:
Lest + Clause + Phrase expressing negative consequence
Here are some examples:
- Example:
- He studied diligently, lest he fail the exam.
- He double-checked his calculations lest there be any errors in the final report.
The verb in the clause that comes after “lest” is typically in the subjunctive mood. The subjunctive mood is used to express actions that are hypothetical, unreal, or contrary to fact. In English, the base form of the verb (the infinitive without “to”) is used for the subjunctive mood. In the examples above the verbs “He fail” and “there be” are in the subjunctive mood. Here are more examples:
- She packed extra snacks, lest she be hungry during the long journey.
- He spoke softly, lest he wake the sleeping baby.
- She triple-checked her presentation slides, lest there be any errors during the conference.
- They locked all the windows before leaving, lest burglars take advantage of the empty house.
- He left a note on the door, lest anyone wonder where he went.
Expressing Purpose With “For”
Purpose can also be expressed by using “for.” “For” may be followed by either a noun or a verb + ing.
For + verb + ing /Noun
Examples:
- I stopped there for a chat.
- This mop is for cleaning the floor.
- She bought a new laptop for work.
- He got a toolbox for fixing household items.
- They went to the grocery store for groceries.
- We need a hammer for hanging the paintings.
- She purchased a blender for making smoothies.
- He packed a jacket for warmth during the cold evening.
- The team gathered information for creating a comprehensive report.
More Expressions Of Purpose
Phrases such as “with the intention of,” “with the aim of,” and “for the purpose of” may also serve another way to express purpose.
Examples:
- With the intention of:
- She enrolled in the course with the intention of acquiring new skills.
- With the aim of:
- They initiated the project with the aim of fostering community engagement.
- For the purpose of:
- The meeting was scheduled for the purpose of discussing upcoming initiatives.
Summary
Here’s a table summarizing the expressions for expressing purpose in English grammar:
| Expression Type | Usage | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Prepositional Phrases | – “To,” “So as to,” “In order to” | – She is looking for a part-time job to save some pocket money. – They visited him so as to offer their condolences for the death of his wife. – He exercises regularly in order to stay fit. |
| Negative Form Prepositions | – “So as not to,” “In order not to” | – They woke up early in order not to be late. – She exercises regularly so as not to get fat. – He helped the new policewoman so as not to fail in her first mission. |
| Conjunctions | – “So that,” “In order that,” “In case,” “Lest” | – He turned down the music so that he wouldn’t disturb the neighbors. – She packed an umbrella in case it rains. – He studied diligently lest he fail the exam. |
| Other Prepositional Phrases | – “With the intention of,” “With the aim of,” “For the purpose of” | – She enrolled in the course with the intention of acquiring new skills. – They initiated the project with the aim of fostering community engagement. – The meeting was scheduled for the purpose of discussing upcoming initiatives. |
Conclusion
In conclusion, the art of expressing purpose can be done through the use of prepositions or conjunctions. The clauses that follow these expressions may contain verbs in the infinitive form, -ing form, or the subjunctive mood. However, with the versatile “for,” nouns or gerunds find their place. Understanding these structural nuances is paramount for creating accurate sentences.
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