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All A2 questions for “To or For? – How to Express Purpose in English (A2 Grammar)”, each with the correct answer and a short explanation. Try the interactive exercises above, then check your answers here.
1. She moved to London _____ start a new job at a marketing agency.
Answer: to
To + infinitive (start) explains why she moved. An action with a reason: to + base verb.
2. I use this app _____ learning vocabulary. It has over 5,000 words.
Answer: for
For + gerund (-ing) to explain what the app is used for. For + learning, not to learning.
He called the doctor _____ ask about his test results.
Keep practising with related reading and grammar units at your level.
Answer: to
To + infinitive (ask) explains why he called. An action: to + base verb.
4. This cream is _____ dry skin. Apply it twice a day.
Answer: for
For + noun (dry skin) to explain the purpose of the product - what it is designed for.
5. I saved money for two years _____ travel around South America.
Answer: to
To + infinitive (travel) explains why she saved money. An action with a purpose.
6. Thank you so much _____ your support. It means a lot to me.
Answer: for
For + noun (your support). Thank you for is a fixed phrase followed by a noun.
7. She went to the library _____ return some books and borrow a new one.
Answer: to
To + infinitive (return) explains the purpose of going. Action + reason: to + base verb.
8. This tool is specifically designed _____ opening bottles. You cannot use it for anything else.
Answer: for
For + gerund (opening) to say what the tool is designed to do. For + -ing for the purpose of a thing.
9. He apologised _____ arriving late to the meeting. His boss was not happy.
Answer: for
Apologise for is a fixed verb + preposition pattern. For + gerund (-ing): for arriving.
10. I am studying every evening _____ improve my English before the exam.
Answer: to
To + infinitive (improve) explains the reason for studying. Action + purpose: to + base verb.
11. She sent him flowers _____ cheer him up after a difficult week.
Answer: to
To + infinitive (cheer up) explains why she sent flowers. To + base verb for the reason behind an action.
1. Which sentence is correct?
Answer: She came here to study English.
To + infinitive (base verb) for purpose of an action. Never for + base verb, or to + -ing.
2. Which sentence is correct?
Answer: This button is for turning off the alarm.
For + gerund (-ing) to explain what a thing is used for. Never for + base verb.
3. Which sentence is correct?
Answer: He works hard to get a promotion.
To + infinitive (base verb) for the purpose of an action. Never for + base verb.
4. Which sentence is correct?
Answer: I went to the pharmacy for some medicine.
For + noun (some medicine). When you go somewhere to get an object, use for + noun.
5. Which sentence is correct?
Answer: I use this knife for cutting the bread.
For + gerund (-ing) to say what a tool is used for. To + base verb also possible here: 'to cut the bread'.
6. Which sentence is correct?
Answer: She apologised for being rude.
Apologise for is a fixed pattern. For + gerund: for being. Never apologise to + verb.
7. Which sentence is correct?
Answer: They built this park for children to play in.
For + object + to + infinitive: for children to play in. A slightly more complex structure showing purpose.
8. Which sentence is correct?
Answer: I called her to tell her the good news.
To + infinitive (tell) explains why I called. An action with a reason: to + base verb.
9. Which sentence is correct?
Answer: Thank you for helping me.
Thank you for is a fixed phrase. For + gerund: for helping. Never thank you to.
10. Which sentence is correct?
Answer: He is saving money to buy a car.
To + infinitive (buy) explains the purpose of saving. An action + reason: to + base verb.
1. In 1989, British scientist Tim Berners-Lee had a simple but revolutionary idea. He wanted _____ create a system that would allow scientists around the world to share information more easily. He designed the World Wide Web specifically _____ sharing documents and data across different computers. His invention was not originally meant _____ the general public - it was a tool for researchers. But Berners-Lee chose _____ make his invention free for everyone, refusing to patent it. Today, billions of people use the internet every day _____ communicate, learn, work, and connect with each other across the globe.
Answer: to, for, for, to, to
Wanted to + infinitive (create): action purpose. For + gerund (sharing): purpose of the system. For + noun (the general public): who it was meant for. Chose to + infinitive (make): action purpose. To + infinitive (communicate): why people use it.
1. English / improve / to / study / I / my
Answer: I study to improve my English.
To + infinitive (improve) for the purpose of an action.
2. for / is / this / cutting / knife / bread
Answer: This knife is for cutting bread.
For + gerund (cutting) to explain the purpose of a thing.
3. gym / went / to / the / exercise / she / to
Answer: She went to the gym to exercise.
To + infinitive (exercise) explains why she went.
4. for / went / the / supermarket / I / milk / to
Answer: I went to the supermarket for milk.
For + noun (milk) when going somewhere to get an object.
5. to / he / the / called / tell / news / me / her
Answer: He called me to tell her the news.
To + infinitive (tell) explains why he called.
6. use / I / app / for / learning / this / grammar
Answer: I use this app for learning grammar.
For + gerund (learning) to say what the app is used for.
7. saving / a / buy / to / she / house / is / money
Answer: She is saving money to buy a house.
To + infinitive (buy) explains the purpose of saving money.
8. for / late / apologised / he / being
Answer: He apologised for being late.
Apologise for is a fixed pattern. For + gerund (being).
9. to / took / a / he / break / relax
Answer: He took a break to relax.
To + infinitive (relax) explains the reason for taking a break.
10. cooking / for / used / this / is / pan
Answer: This pan is used for cooking.
For + gerund (cooking) to explain what the pan is for.
1. You are a friendly English tutor doing a structured speaking drill with an A2 student. The grammar focus is: (1) to + base verb for the purpose of an action a person does (I went there to see her, I study to improve), (2) for + noun when going somewhere to get an object (I went to the shop for milk), (3) for + -ing to explain what a thing is used for (this is for cutting bread, I use this for learning), (4) for + -ing after fixed phrases (thank you for helping, apologise for being late), (5) never for + base verb, never to + -ing. STRUCTURE: Ask exactly 6 questions, one at a time. Wait for the student's full answer. QUESTIONS TO ASK (in this order): 1. 'Let us talk about purposes! Tell me three things you do every day and WHY you do them. Use to + verb each time.' (Target: I drink coffee to wake up. I exercise to stay healthy. I study English to get a better job. Check: to + base verb, never for + base verb like for wake up.) 2. 'Good! Now tell me about three objects in your home or office. What is each one used for? Use for + -ing.' (Target: This knife is for cutting vegetables. I have a notebook for writing ideas. My phone is for communicating with people. Check: for + -ing, not for + base verb or to + -ing.) 3. 'Tell me: why did you start learning English? And why do you want to continue? Use to + verb.' (Target: I started to improve my career chances. I continue to communicate with people from other countries. Check: to + base verb.) 4. 'I will give you a situation. Give me the purpose using to. Ready? Someone goes to the library.' (Target: She went to the library to borrow some books. He goes to the library to study in a quiet place. Check: to + base verb. Flag for borrow or for to borrow.) 5. 'Now use for + noun. Tell me: what do you go to a supermarket for? A pharmacy? A bank?' (Target: I go to the supermarket for food and drinks. I go to the pharmacy for medicine. I go to the bank for cash. Check: for + noun, not for buying or to buying.) 6. 'Last one! Tell me three ways you use your phone or computer and use both to and for in your answer.' (Target: I use my phone to call people and for listening to music. I use my computer to work and for watching films. Check: to + base verb and for + noun or -ing both used correctly.) FEEDBACK RULES: - Never explain the rule directly. Recast errors naturally. - If student says for + base verb (for go, for buy): recast - Oh, you go there to buy milk! That makes sense. - If student says to + -ing (to learning, to working): recast - You use it to learn new things! Great. - If student says for + infinitive (for learn): recast - Yes, you use it for learning! Or: you go there to learn! - Keep language at A2 level. - After all 6 questions, give one genuine specific compliment and say goodbye.
1. Question 1