2月10日号：Expressing purpose (1) -to and for

Two ways we can express purpose are using to and for. Let’s look at how we use them in conversations.

To talk about a general purpose, we often use for + verb + -ing.

For example:

◆ This sofa is really comfortable for taking naps.

◆ The office phone is for making work-related calls only. It is not for making personal calls.

◆ A: What are these long chopsticks for?

B: They are for cooking. They are called saibashi.

When the subject is something like a person or machine, we can also use to + infinitive to talk about a general purpose.

Compare these sentences with the previous examples.

◆ I like to use this couch to take naps.

◆ You should use the office phone to make work-related calls only. You should not use it to make personal calls.

◆ A: What are these long chopsticks for?

B: I use them to cook. They are called saibashi.

To talk about a specific or individual purpose, we often use for + noun.

For example:

◆ I went to a bar for some drinks with my co-workers.

◆ He’s saving money for a new computer.

◆ Ms. Suzuki booked Conference Room C for a meeting this afternoon.

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Ian先生プロフィール

英会話イーオン東京本社教務課コーディネーター。イーオン教師のトレーニングや英語セミナーを企画制作するカリスマ教師として活躍中。カリフォルニア大学バークレー校卒業。趣味は読書、料理、クラフトワーク。