To, in order to and so that: what's it for? Purpose exercises with to, in order to and so that

This B2 drill lesson gives purpose exercises for saying why: to buy, so as not to wake, so that Grandpa can hear, and a thing's use with for cutting.

Grammar: To, in order to, so as to and their negatives, so that + can / will or could / would, and for + -ing or a noun.
Topic: An invented two-person company and its bike light: the quick-start guide, the founders' pitch to investors, a customer's review and a chat with co-founder Amaya.
Activities: True or false, sorting, choices, gap-fills, matching, tables, word order, quizzes, drag-and-drop texts, a memory game and a chat.

What's inside

Chapter 1The rule
- PictureUnlock
- Study the scheme: to, in order to, so that, forGrammar schemeTry it
- Is the sentence correct? Mark true or falseTrue or falseUnlock
- Sort the endings: after in order or so as, or after so that?Sort into columnsTry it
- Choose the right formChoose the optionUnlock
- Fill in the gaps: why did they do it?Fill in the gapsUnlock
Chapter 2To, in order to, so as to: why?
- Fill in the gaps: formal purpose, positive and negativeFill in the gapsTry it
- Match the beginnings and the endingsMatchUnlock
- Choose the right form: to, in order to and so as toChoose the optionUnlock
- Put the words in the right order: to, in order to, so as toUnjumbleUnlock
- Find the mistake and choose the right words: to, in order to, so as toQuizUnlock
- Read Lior's post and drag the words into the gapsDrag and dropUnlock
Chapter 3So that: someone else can do it
- Fill in the gaps: so that, now or in the pastFill in the gapsUnlock
- Choose the right modal: now or in the past?Choose the optionTry it
- Fill in the table: from to to so that, and backFill in the tableUnlock
- Put the words in the right order: so thatUnjumbleUnlock
- Find the mistake and choose the right words: so thatQuizUnlock
- Read Paulina's note and drag the words into the gapsDrag and dropUnlock
Chapter 4For + -ing: what's it for?
- Choose the right words: a thing's use or a person's purpose?Choose the optionUnlock
- Match the things and what they are forMatchTry it
- Fill in the gaps: what's it for, and why did they do it?Fill in the gapsUnlock
- Fill in the table: say it another wayFill in the tableUnlock
- Find the mistake and choose the right words: for or to?QuizUnlock
- Choose the right meaningQuizUnlock
- Read Hamid's post and drag the words into the gapsDrag and dropUnlock
Chapter 5Real life: a bike light and its pitch
- Read the quick-start guideReal-life documentUnlock
- Read the guide again: true or false?True or falseUnlock
- Read the founders' pitch and fill in the gapsFill in the gapsUnlock
- Read Rhea's review and drag the words into the gapsDrag and dropUnlock
- Choose the right replies: Amaya texts youChatTry it
- Test yourself: choose the right answerQuizUnlock
Chapter 6Homework
- Choose the right form: at home and at workChoose the optionUnlock
- Fill in the gaps: formal purpose at school and at workFill in the gapsUnlock
- Fill in the gaps: so that in plans and storiesFill in the gapsUnlock
- Answer the questions: why did they do it?Fill in the gapsUnlock
- Put the words in the right order: purposeUnjumbleUnlock
- Fill in the table: one idea, three waysFill in the tableUnlock
- Find the matching pairs: things and what they're forMemory gameUnlock
- Sort the sentences: correct or wrong?Sort into columnsUnlock
- Match the beginnings and the endings: so thatMatchUnlock
- Find the mistake and choose the right words: everyday EnglishQuizUnlock
- Choose the correct sentenceQuizUnlock
- Choose the right words: to, so that or for?Choose the optionUnlock
- Read the building manager's email and fill in the gapsFill in the gapsUnlock
- Read Esme's post and drag the words into the gapsDrag and dropUnlock
- Sort the sentences: a person's purpose or a thing's use?Sort into columnsUnlock

Grammar: saying why: to, in order to, so that and for

To say why someone does something, English uses to + base form: I went out to buy milk. In order to and so as to mean the same but sound more formal. A new subject calls for so that, and a thing's use takes for + -ing.

Purpose: why we do things, and what things are for

Say why someone does something with to, in order to, so as to or so that, and what a thing is for with for + -ing.

To, in order to, so as to + base form

All three take the base form and normally keep the same subject: We left at six in order to beat the traffic. Please arrive early so as to find a parking spot. For never goes before to: for to buy is wrong.

subject + verbto / in order to / so as tobase form

Ella went to the market to buy fresh fruit.

We left at six in order to beat the traffic.

Please arrive early so as to find a parking spot.

In order not to, so as not to

A negative purpose takes in order not to or so as not to, not a bare not to: Lena whispered so as not to wake the baby. We wrote everything down in order not to forget anything.

subject + verbin order not to / so as not tobase form

Lena whispered so as not to wake the baby.

We wrote everything down in order not to forget anything.

Drive slowly here so as not to scare the horses.

So that + subject + modal

When someone else does the second thing, use so that: I saved money so that my son could buy a bike. The modal follows the time: can, will or the present for now and later, could or would in a past story.

so that + subject + modal

main clauseso thatsubjectcan / will / present (now) · could / would (past)verb

Speak louder so that Grandpa can hear you.

Label the boxes so that the movers know where they go.

Dad fixed my old bike so that I could ride it to school.

A new subject? Use so that

With to / in order to / so as to, the same person usually does both things: I saved money to buy a bike (I buy it). When someone else does the second thing, use so that: I saved money so that my son could buy a bike. (Not: in order to my son could buy.) Negative: so as not to / in order not to, not just not to. You'll also hear in order to not in American English.

So that: good to know

In American English, that often drops out: Leave the door open so I can hear you. A Why? question gets a short answer with to: Why are you here? – To see the doctor.

so that: good to know

After so that, the modal follows the time: can / will (or the present simple) for now and the future, could / would for the past. In American English, that often drops out: Leave the door open so I can hear you. Answer a Why? question with to: Why are you here? — To see the doctor.

For + -ing: what a thing is for

A thing's use takes for + -ing: A corkscrew is for opening bottles. A person's purpose takes to: I went to the store to buy bread, not for buying. Before a noun, for is fine: Let's stop for coffee.

A person's purpose or a thing's use?

Why does a person do it? → to

I went to the store to buy bread. (Not: for buying bread)
She called to ask about the job. (Not: for asking)
With a noun, for is fine: I went out for bread.

What is a thing for? → for + -ing

A corkscrew is for opening bottles.
This cloth is used for cleaning / to clean glasses. Both are right.
What's this button for? — It's for turning the light on.

Which one do I use?

Form	Next	Use	Example
to	base form	everyday; the same subject	I went out to buy milk.
in order to / so as to	base form	more formal; the same meaning as to	We moved in order to be closer to work.
in order not to / so as not to	base form	a negative purpose	I ran so as not to miss the bus.
so that (now / future)	subject + can / will / present	a new subject, or a modal	I'll leave a key so that you can get in.
so that (past)	subject + could / would	the same, in a past story	We whispered so that Dad wouldn't hear us.
for + -ing	-ing form	what a thing is for	This knife is for cutting bread.
for + noun	a noun	the thing you go or stop for	Let's stop for coffee.

Common mistakes

Watch for I went to the bank for getting some cash, He bought a drill for to fix the shelves and a present modal in a past story: Yesterday, the guide spoke slowly so that we can understand him needs could.

I went to the bank for getting some cash.
I went to the bank to get some cash.
a person's purpose: to + verb, not for + -ing
He bought a drill for to fix the shelves.
He bought a drill to fix the shelves.
never for to
She left early not to miss the train.
She left early so as not to miss the train.
negative purpose: so as not to / in order not to
Yesterday, the guide spoke slowly so that we can understand him.
Yesterday, the guide spoke slowly so that we could understand him.
a past story: so that + could / would

More lessons on this grammar: Linking words lessons and exercises · Gerunds and infinitives lessons and exercises

Try the purpose exercises

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What's in the lesson

39 auto-checked exercises
4 games
1 real-life document
1 grammar scheme
1 picture

The main objectives of this lesson are to:

say why a person does something with to: I called the restaurant to book a table for six, not for booking
use the formal and negative forms: Our company moved to a smaller office in order to cut costs. We turned down the TV so as not to disturb the neighbors.
pick the modal after so that by time: Turn the music down so that the baby can sleep, but I worked two jobs so that I could pay my rent
tell a thing's use from a person's purpose: A can opener is for opening cans, but I went to the hardware store to buy some nails

Grammar:: infinitive of purpose · in order to · so as to · in order not to / so as not to · so that + modal · for + -ing · for + noun
Topic:: grammar practice · products and gadgets · startups · cycling

Teaching tips

Ask why about this morning: students answer questions like Why did you bring a sweater? or Why did you leave early? with To… or So as not to…
Bring three everyday objects, such as a funnel, a whistle and a peeler: groups say what each is for (It's for…) and why someone might carry it (to…).
Pitch a gadget in pairs: after the founders' pitch, pairs invent a small product and present it in three sentences with for + -ing, in order to and so that.

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English Grammar Practice · B2 has 24 drill lessons, one grammar point each: the future perfect and continuous, the third and mixed conditionals, wishes, past modals, the impersonal passive, have something done, participle clauses, reporting verbs and verb patterns. Each has the rule as a scheme, 43 to 47 exercises that check themselves, 15 of them for homework, and no new words.See the course

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