Unit 6 - Education
Expressing Purpose
Connect actions to their goals using purpose clauses and infinitives.
1. From Cause to Purpose
B1 reminder: If you study, you will pass the exam.
At B2, turn the result into a stated purpose: Study so that you pass the exam.
2. Structures
| Purpose Marker | Form | Example |
|---|---|---|
| so that | …, so that + clause (often with modal) | I saved the document so that I wouldn’t lose my changes. |
| in order to | … + infinitive | She arrived early in order to prepare the room. |
| to | … + infinitive | We met to discuss the budget. |
| for + noun / for + verb-ing | … for + noun/gerund | This button is for starting the machine. |
3. Register Tips
- in order to sounds more formal than to.
- Negative purpose: so that + subject + don’t/doesn’t/didn’t or in order not to.
- Avoid double subjects: I went to the store to buy milk (not for to buy).
Modal choice
Use can/could/will/would after so that to show possibility or intention: so that they can review, so that she would understand.
4. Practice
- Write sentences for three goals you have this month using different purpose markers.
- Change a conditional sentence into a purpose sentence with so that.
- Create formal instructions using in order to.
Quick Review
- Use so that + clause or to / in order to + verb to explain why you do something.
- Choose the marker based on formality and whether you need a modal verb.