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To for purpose: I went out to buy bread

A2 A2 grammar · lesson 19 of 25

We often say why we do something. In English the easiest way is to + verb. This lesson shows you how to use it correctly.

Rule

Use to + base verb to give the reason or purpose of an action. It answers the question Why?

I went out to buy some milk.

Anna is learning Chinese to get a better job.

We went to the station to meet our cousins.

Leo uses his phone to listen to music.

I’m going to the library to study.

Maria opened the window to get some fresh air.

‘Why did you go to the bank?’ ‘To get some money.’

Many languages use a word like for here, but in English we do not say for buy or for to buy. Use only to + verb.

We can use for + noun: I went to the shop for some bread. Let’s go out for a pizza.

Tip: Ask Why? If the answer is a verb, use to: Why? To learn. If the answer is a thing (a noun), you can use for: for a coffee.

✗ I went to the shop for buy bread.

✓ I went to the shop to buy bread.

✗ She studies for to pass the exam.

✓ She studies to pass the exam.

✗ We came here for see you.

✓ We came here to see you.

✗ He went out to a coffee.

✓ He went out for a coffee.