Elementary 📐 Grammar · #79 of 305

Infinitive of Purpose

to + verb explains why.

Examples

  • I went out to buy milk.

Key rules

  • to + base verb answers why: I went out to buy milk
  • Do not use for + verb: for buying is wrong here
  • For can be used with a noun: I went there for a rest
  • The negative is in order not to

Common mistakes

  • I went for buy milk → I went to buy milk
  • She came for to see you → She came to see you
💡 Tip: Use to + verb to explain why you do something.
Practise this topic in the appPractise Elementary quiz
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Related Elementary topics

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Past Simple: Regular Verbs

Add -ed to finish actions in the past.

Past Simple: Irregular Verbs

Many common verbs have special past forms.

Past Simple: Negatives and Questions

Use did/didn't + base verb.

Was and Were

Past forms of be.

Past Continuous

was/were + -ing for actions in progress in the past.

Past Simple vs Past Continuous

Use continuous for background; simple for interrupting events.