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English grammar

Infinitive of Purpose (to / in order to)

Updated 27 Oct 2026 5 min read LingoLadder Editorial Team
Cover: infinitive of purpose — a person leaving home to catch a train, with to, in order to and so as to
Short answer

To say why you do something, use the to-infinitive: 'I went to the shop to buy milk'. For a more formal tone, use in order to or so as to. The negative is in order not to / so as not to, never to not.

On this page11 sections · tap to jump
  1. 01The rule
  2. 02Ways to express purpose
  3. 03When to use “for” instead
  4. 04Example sentences
  5. 05Common mistakes
  6. 06A short conversation
  7. 07Usage notes
  8. 08Compared with…
  9. 09Practice
  10. 10Quiz
  11. 11Recap cheat-sheet

Level: B1. When you want to say why you do something — the aim or reason behind an action — English uses the to-infinitive: I came here to learn English. This lesson shows the three ways to express purpose, how to make them negative, and the traps learners fall into.

The rule

Purpose is the goal of an action — what you hope to achieve. In English the simplest way to show purpose is the to-infinitive (to + the base verb): I went out to buy bread. Here to buy answers the question why did you go out?

There are three common structures, from neutral to formal:

  • to + verb — the everyday choice: She called to say thank you.
  • in order to + verb — slightly more formal, often in writing: He left early in order to avoid the traffic.
  • so as to + verb — also formal, common before a negative: They spoke quietly so as to keep the baby asleep.

All three mean the same thing. In order to and so as to simply sound more careful or formal; in speech most people just use to.

For the negative (to show the purpose of avoiding something) you cannot say to not. You must use in order not to or so as not to: I wrote it down so as not to forget.

Ways to express purpose

Structure Form Example
to-infinitive to + base verb I stopped to rest.
in order to in order to + base verb She saved money in order to travel.
so as to so as to + base verb He arrived early so as to get a seat.
negative purpose in order not to / so as not to I left a note so as not to forget.
purpose with a noun for + noun We went out for a walk.
what a thing is used for noun + for + -ing a knife for cutting bread

When to use “for” instead

To + verb is for the purpose of an action. But you use for in two different cases:

  • for + a noun, when the purpose is a thing or an activity named as a noun: I went to the shop for milk. She stopped for a coffee.
  • noun + for + -ing, to describe the general function of an object — what it is used for: This spray is for cleaning windows. Running shoes are for running.

The trap is using for before a verb when you mean the purpose of your own action. I came to London for learning English is wrong; the purpose of coming takes the to-infinitive: I came to London to learn English.

Example sentences

  1. I went to the kitchen to make tea.
    to-infinitive = the purpose of going.
  2. She stood up to open the window.
    Why did she stand up? To open it.
  3. We use a dictionary to check spelling.
    Purpose of using the dictionary.
  4. He called me to say goodbye.
    The reason for the call.
  5. I turned off my phone to concentrate.
    Purpose of turning it off.
  6. They moved to the city to find work.
    Purpose with a verb of movement.
  7. You need a password to log in.
    Purpose: what the password is for.
  8. She left early in order to catch the train.
    in order to = a little more formal.
  9. We booked ahead in order to get good seats.
    in order to in writing.
  10. He studied hard in order to pass the exam.
    in order to for a serious goal.
  11. I wrote it down so as to remember it.
    so as to = formal, same meaning as to.
  12. She spoke slowly so as to be understood.
    so as to before a passive idea.
  13. I set an alarm so as not to oversleep.
    Negative purpose: so as not to.
  14. He drove carefully in order not to have an accident.
    Negative purpose: in order not to.
  15. We left quietly in order not to disturb anyone.
    in order not to + base verb.
  16. I went out for a walk.
    for + noun (an activity named as a noun).
  17. She stopped for a rest.
    for + noun after a movement verb.
  18. This knife is for cutting bread.
    noun + for + -ing = the tool's function.
  19. These shoes are for running.
    What the object is used for.
  20. What did you say that for?
    'What ... for?' asks the purpose = why.

Common mistakes

  • ❌ I came here for to learn English. → ✅ I came here to learn English. English has no for to; use the to-infinitive alone.
  • ❌ I went to the shop for buy milk. → ✅ I went to the shop to buy milk. The purpose of an action takes to + verb, never for + verb.
  • ❌ I came to London for learning English. → ✅ I came to London to learn English. Use to + verb for the purpose of your action, not for + -ing.
  • ❌ I left early to not miss the bus. → ✅ I left early so as not to miss the bus. / in order not to miss the bus. Negative purpose does not use to not.
  • ❌ She saved money for travel the world. → ✅ She saved money to travel the world. Here travel is a verb, so use to; for travel would need the noun.
  • ❌ In order pass the exam, he studied. → ✅ In order to pass the exam, he studied. Do not drop the to after in order.

A short conversation

A: Why are you going to the library? B: To return these books, and to borrow a new one. A: Take an umbrella so as not to get wet — it looks like rain. B: Good idea. I’ll leave now in order to get there before it closes.

Usage notes

  • Front position for emphasis. In order to and so as to can start a sentence to highlight the goal: In order to save money, we cook at home. A plain to at the front is less common but possible: To understand the problem, read the report first.
  • Same subject. In all three structures the person doing both actions is the same: I left early so that I could catch the train. When the subjects differ, use so that + a clause instead: I spoke slowly so that everyone could follow.
  • “What … for?” In speech, What did you do that for? is a natural, informal way to ask Why?
  • Keep it short. In everyday English, plain to is almost always enough. Reserve in order to and so as to for formal writing or when you want to sound careful.

Compared with…

  • Cause and contrast linkers join reasons and opposite ideas (because, so, although, however), while the infinitive of purpose answers what for?. Do not confuse giving a reason (I was late because the bus broke down) with giving a purpose (I ran to catch the bus). See Connectors of Cause and Contrast.
  • This builds on the wider choice between to + verb and -ing; if the two shapes still feel shaky, review Gerunds and Infinitives (Full Guide).

Recap card for the infinitive of purpose showing to, in order to, so as to and the negative forms with examples

Quick recap before you practise.

Practice

Practice

Infinitive of purpose practice

Try each one, then press Check. No sign-up, nothing is sent anywhere — it all runs in your browser.

1 Choose the correct form: 'I went to the shop ___ some bread.'
Show answer

to buy — The purpose of an action takes the to-infinitive: to buy.

Hint: Negative purpose, three words before the verb

Show answer

so as not to — Negative purpose is 'so as not to' or 'in order not to', never 'to not'.

3 Which sentence is correct?
Show answer

She left early to catch the train. — Use the to-infinitive for the purpose of leaving: to catch.

4 Put the words in order to express purpose.

Show answer

He saved money to buy a car — The purpose of saving takes to + verb: to buy.

5 Match each structure to its example.

  • to + verb
  • in order to
  • so as not to
  • for + noun
Show answer
  • to + verb → I called to say hello.
  • in order to → She works hard in order to succeed.
  • so as not to → He tiptoed so as not to wake them.
  • for + noun → We stopped for lunch.

To, in order to and so as (not) to take verbs; for takes a noun.

Hint: What the object is used for

Show answer

for making — The function of an object is noun + for + -ing: for making coffee.

Quiz

Check yourself

Infinitive of purpose quiz

12 questions · pick an answer and you'll see straight away if it's right.

0/12 0 answered
  1. 1Choose: 'She stood up ___ the door.'
    Show answer

    to open — The purpose of an action takes the to-infinitive: to open.

  2. 2Choose: 'He studied all night ___ the exam.'
    Show answer

    to pass — Purpose takes to + verb: to pass.

  3. 3Which is the correct negative purpose?
    Show answer

    I left a note so as not to forget. — Negative purpose uses 'so as not to' or 'in order not to'.

  4. 4Choose: 'We booked early ___ good seats.'
    Show answer

    in order to get — Do not drop the 'to' after 'in order': in order to get.

  5. 5Which sentence is WRONG?
    Show answer

    I came here for to learn English. — English has no 'for to'; use the to-infinitive alone.

  6. 6Choose: 'This spray is ___ windows.'
    Show answer

    for cleaning — The function of an object is noun + for + -ing: for cleaning.

  7. 7Choose: 'We went out ___ a walk.'
    Show answer

    for — A purpose named as a noun ('a walk') takes 'for'.

  8. 8Choose: 'She whispered ___ wake the children.'
    Show answer

    so as not to — The fixed negative form is 'so as not to'.

  9. 9Which sentence gives a PURPOSE (not a reason)?
    Show answer

    I ran to catch the bus. — 'To catch the bus' answers 'what for?' — that is purpose.

  10. Show answer

    to help — The purpose of turning it down takes to + verb: to help.

  11. 11Choose the more formal way to say 'to save time':
    Show answer

    in order to save time — 'In order to' is the more formal equivalent of plain 'to'.

  12. 12Choose: 'I need a key ___ the door.'
    Show answer

    to open — The purpose of the key as an action takes to + verb: to open.

Recap cheat-sheet

Meaning Use Example
purpose of an action to + verb I ran to catch it.
formal purpose in order to / so as to …in order to catch it.
negative purpose in order not to / so as not to …so as not to miss it.
purpose as a noun for + noun out for a walk
what a thing is for for + -ing a tool for cutting

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Grammar path

125 topics 125 ready now
A1 30 topics · 30 ready
  1. 01 Verb 'To Be' in the Present (am, is, are)
  2. 02 Subject Pronouns: I, You, He, She, It, We, They
  3. 03 Present Simple: Affirmative and the -s Ending
  4. 04 Present Simple: Negatives and Questions (do/does)
  5. 05 Articles: a / an and When to Use Each
  6. 06 The Definite Article 'The': When to Use It
  7. 07 Zero Article: When to Use No Article
  8. 08 Plural Nouns: Regular and Irregular Forms
  9. 09 This, That, These, Those (Demonstratives)
  10. 10 Possessive Adjectives: my, your, his, her
  11. 11 Possessive 's and s' (Showing Belonging)
  12. 12 There Is / There Are (Saying What Exists)
  13. 13 Have Got: Talking About Possession
  14. 14 Can and Can't for Ability
  15. 15 Present Continuous (am/is/are + -ing)
  16. 16 Imperatives: Giving Orders and Instructions
  17. 17 Adjectives: Position and Basic Use
  18. 18 Prepositions of Place: in, on, at
  19. 19 Prepositions of Time: in, on, at
  20. 20 Question Words: What, Where, When, Who, Why, How
  21. 21 How Much vs How Many
  22. 22 Countable and Uncountable Nouns
  23. 23 Some and Any: Which One to Use
  24. 24 Object Pronouns: me, you, him, her, us, them
  25. 25 Adverbs of Frequency and Their Position
  26. 26 Like, Love, Hate + -ing (Expressing Preferences)
  27. 27 Would Like: Polite Wants and Offers
  28. 28 Making Requests: Can, Could, May I
  29. 29 Past Simple of 'To Be' (was / were)
  30. 30 Let's and Shall We: Making Suggestions
A2 25 topics · 25 ready
  1. 31 Past Simple: Regular Verbs and -ed Spelling
  2. 32 Past Simple: Irregular Verbs (go, see, have)
  3. 33 Past Simple: Negatives and Questions (did)
  4. 34 Comparative Adjectives (bigger, more expensive)
  5. 35 Superlative Adjectives (the biggest, the most)
  6. 36 Going To: Plans and Predictions
  7. 37 Will: Predictions, Decisions and Offers
  8. 38 Present Continuous for Future Arrangements
  9. 39 Present Perfect for Experience (ever / never)
  10. 40 Present Perfect with just, already, yet
  11. 41 Present Perfect vs Past Simple
  12. 42 Have To and Don't Have To (Obligation)
  13. 43 Should and Shouldn't for Advice
  14. 44 Could: Past Ability and Polite Use
  15. 45 Much, Many, A Lot Of
  16. 46 A Few, A Little, Few, Little
  17. 47 Adverbs of Manner (quickly, well, hard)
  18. 48 Verb + -ing or Verb + to (Introduction)
  19. 49 Zero Conditional (Facts and Rules)
  20. 50 First Conditional (Real Future Possibility)
  21. 51 Prepositions of Movement (to, into, through)
  22. 52 Possessive Pronouns: mine, yours, hers
  23. 53 Past Continuous (was/were + -ing)
  24. 54 Too and Enough (Degree)
  25. 55 Order of Adjectives Before a Noun
B1 27 topics · 27 ready
  1. 56 Past Continuous vs Past Simple
  2. 57 Used To and Would for Past Habits
  3. 58 Present Perfect Continuous (have been -ing)
  4. 59 Present Perfect: Simple vs Continuous
  5. 60 Past Perfect (had + past participle)
  6. 61 Second Conditional (Unreal Present/Future)
  7. 62 Third Conditional (Unreal Past)
  8. 63 Reported Speech: Statements (Backshift)
  9. 64 Reported Questions
  10. 65 Reported Commands and Requests
  11. 66 Passive Voice: Present and Past Simple
  12. 67 Must and Mustn't (Strong Obligation)
  13. 68 May, Might, Could for Possibility
  14. 69 Defining Relative Clauses (who, which, that)
  15. 70 Non-Defining Relative Clauses (with commas)
  16. 71 Gerunds and Infinitives: Full Verb Patterns
  17. 72 Verbs Where -ing vs to Changes Meaning
  18. 73 Future Continuous (will be -ing)
  19. 74 So and Such (Emphasis)
  20. 75 As...As Comparisons (equality)
  21. 76 Question Tags (isn't it? do you?)
  22. 77 Phrasal Verbs: Separable and Inseparable
  23. 78 Linking Words: because, so, although, but
  24. 79 Infinitive of Purpose (to / in order to) You are here
  25. 80 Indirect Questions (Can you tell me...)
  26. 81 Make, Let, Allow, Help (Causatives Intro)
  27. 82 Be Used To and Get Used To (+ -ing)
B2 25 topics · 25 ready
  1. 83 Narrative Tenses for Storytelling
  2. 84 Past Perfect Continuous (had been -ing)
  3. 85 Mixed Conditionals
  4. 86 Wish and If Only (Regrets and Wishes)
  5. 87 Wish/If Only + would (Complaints)
  6. 88 Passive Voice: All Tenses and Modals
  7. 89 Reporting Passive (It is said that / is said to)
  8. 90 Causative: Have/Get Something Done
  9. 91 Reduced Relative Clauses (Participles)
  10. 92 Modals of Deduction: Present and Past
  11. 93 Needn't Have vs Didn't Need To
  12. 94 Future Perfect (will have done)
  13. 95 Participle Clauses (-ing / -ed / having done)
  14. 96 Advanced Comparatives (far/much + er, the more)
  15. 97 Conditional Alternatives: unless, as long as, provided
  16. 98 Advanced Determiners: each, every, either, neither
  17. 99 Intensifiers and Adverbs of Degree
  18. 100 Advanced Contrast: despite, in spite of, however
  19. 101 Advanced Linkers: therefore, moreover, consequently
  20. 102 Advanced Article Use (generalisations, names)
  21. 103 Verb + Preposition and Adjective + Preposition
  22. 104 Relative Clauses: whose, where, when, quantifier + whom
  23. 105 Subject-Verb Agreement: Tricky Cases
  24. 106 Emphatic Do (I do like it)
  25. 107 Would for Past Habits (Formal Narrative)
C1 18 topics · 18 ready
  1. 108 Inversion with Negative Adverbials
  2. 109 Inversion in Conditionals (Had I known)
  3. 110 Cleft Sentences (It was... / What I need is...)
  4. 111 Fronting and Emphasis (Word Order)
  5. 112 Subjunctive and Mandative (I suggest he be)
  6. 113 Ellipsis and Substitution (so, do, one)
  7. 114 Hedging and Cautious Language
  8. 115 Nominalisation (Academic Noun Style)
  9. 116 Advanced Discourse Markers (Spoken & Written)
  10. 117 Advanced Passive (passive + infinitive, get-passive)
  11. 118 Advanced Comparative Structures (no sooner...than)
  12. 119 Future in the Past (was going to / would)
  13. 120 Advanced Modals (may well, might as well, would rather)
  14. 121 Advanced Reported Speech (Reporting Verbs + Patterns)
  15. 122 Advanced and Idiomatic Phrasal Verbs
  16. 123 Collocation and Colligation (Natural Combinations)
  17. 124 Advanced Concession (much as, whatever, however + adj)
  18. 125 Absolute and Non-Finite Clauses (Formal)