Lesson 79 — Stating the Purpose

Stating the Purpose

In this lesson you learn how to say **why** you do something using **to + base verb** (infinitive of purpose).

• Formula: to + verb → to state a purpose
• Example: I bought a scanner to scan my files.
• Persian tip: «تا / برای اینکه» → often to + verb in English

• to + base verb → purpose (why you do something)
• I bought X to Y → reason for buying
• NOT: for + verb / for to + verb (common mistake)
• Dialogue: take a look at this / give that a try

After the main verb, use **to + base form** to explain the reason or goal. The verb after **to** is always in base form (not -ing, not past).

• I bought a new scanner to scan my files.
• I borrowed this earphone to listen to music.
• I emailed my friend to ask for help.

Pattern: I bought a new **scanner** to **scan** my **files**. Swap the words in bold to make new sentences with the same purpose structure.

• scanner → printer / TV
• scan → print / watch
• my files → documents / a new movie
• I bought a new printer to print my documents.
• I bought a new TV to watch a new movie.

Trouble shooting

• A: Could you take a look at this?
• B: Sure, what's the problem?
• A: Well, I clicked on the toolbar to save a file, and the computer crashed.
• B: Why don't you try restarting? That sometimes works.
• A: OK, I'll give that a try.

Notice **to save a file** — the purpose of clicking the toolbar.

• I emailed my friend to ask for help.
• I picked up my phone to call my dad.
• I will meet my friend to talk about the weekend.
• I'm gonna go shopping to get something for dinner.
• I emailed my friend to send him the photos.

• scanner = device to scan documents
• earphone / earphones = headphones
• toolbar = bar of icons in a program
• crash = stop working suddenly (computer crashed)
• restart = turn off and on again
• give it a try = try it once