Expressing Purpose

Learn how to express purpose with appropriate phrases.

Video Lesson

Tip: Expressing purpose helps explain why something is done or what goal it serves. Using appropriate purpose expressions makes your communication clearer and more effective!

Affirmative Forms

  • so as to + verb
  • in order to + verb
  • to + verb

Examples:

  • He is working very hard so as to get good scores.
  • She gets up early in order to be on time for school.
  • Amine got a part time job to save some money.

Negative Forms

  • so as not to + verb
  • in order not to + verb
  • not to + verb

Examples:

  • They get up early so as not to be late for work.
  • She exercises regularly in order not to gain weight.
  • He helped his classmate not to fail his exam.

Other Forms

  • so that + modal verb (can, could, may, might, would)
  • for + noun
  • for + verb-ing

Examples:

  • He got a visa so that he can study in the USA.
  • She took a taxi so that she would not be late for school.
  • I was at the cafeteria for a chat with some classmates.
  • Mind mapping is a good technique for revising lessons.

practice: Expressing Purpose

Instructions: Complete with: so as to - so as not to - so that - for - for not

1. The teacher uses a video projector explain the lesson well.

2. They are building more schools they could eradicate illiteracy.

3. Salma is going on a diet gain weight.

4. Ali pays attention in class understand all the lessons.

5. My grandmother joined literacy classes she could learn how to read and write.

6. My brother is working two jobs making more money.

7. I wake early everyday being late to school.

8. She revises her lesson have bad grades.