Infinitives (to + verb) in English, explain why we do something


Infinitives (to + verb)

Explain why we do something

I went to the shop to buy apples.

He studies to get better marks.

She goes to the gym to be healthy.

We can use the infinitive to explain why we do something.

Why are you washing the car? To help my parents.
Why are you going out? To buy some food.
She turned on the TV to watch the news.
I’d like to go to U.K. to study English.

Use the infinitive with ‘to’.

I went to the cinema to see the new film.

I play computer games to have fun.

money / time to (do something)

We need some money to buy food.
I haven’t got time to watch television.

Compare
She went to the park to play with her friends. (NOT She went to the park play her friends.)
I’m going to Egypt to see the Pyramids. (NOT I’m going to Egypt for to see the pyramids.)

To + verb

to get / to see etc.
I went to the shop to get a newspaper.
They’re going to Brazil to see their friends.
We need to some money to buy food.

For + noun

for a newspaper / for food etc.
I went to the shop for a newspaper.
They are going to Brazil for a holiday.
We need some money for food.

After these verbs you can use to … (infinitive):
offer
decide
hope
deserve
promise

agree
plan
manage
afford
threaten
refuse
arrange
fail

forget
learn

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