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Unit 6 Grammar: Infinitives of Purpose

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What is an infinitive? An infinitive is: to + base (dictionary) form of a verb Examples: to run, to sing, to call, to laugh, to think, to believe, to go, to enjoy, to speak

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What is an infinitive of purpose? An infinitive of purpose is an infinitive that answers the question why? I went to the store . (WHY?) to buy milk. I study Spanish (WHY?) to talk to my friends.

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These sentences have similar meaning David went to the social because he wanted to have fun. They stopped on the road because they wanted to give Lavender a ride. Lavender borrowed Roberts coat because she wanted to get warm. David went to the social to have fun. They stopped on the road to give Lavender a ride. Lavender borrowed Roberts coat to get warm.

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Add in order before the infinitive in formal speech (optional) Original sentence: David went to the social because he wanted to have fun. Sentence with infinitive of purpose: David went to the social to have fun. Sentence with in order added (more formal): David went to the social in order to have fun. All of these sentences have similar meaning!

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What about negative sentences? These sentences have similar meaning . They dropped Lavender off at the top of the driveway because they didnt want to make her parents angry. They asked if Lavender was going to the dance because they didnt want to go to the dance without a date. They dropped Lavender off at the top of the driveway in order not to make her parents angry. They asked if Lavender was going to the dance in order not to go to the dance without a date.

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Negatives MUST have in order not Original sentence: They dropped Lavender off at the top of the driveway because they didnt want to make her parents angry. Sentence with infinitive of purpose (NEGATIVE): They dropped Lavender off at the top of the driveway in order not to make her parents angry.

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Why are infinitives of purpose important? You will hear them all the time! (Ex: I went to the store to get milk.) They are very important in academic language. (Ex: Research was conducted to explore the environmental problem.)

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Practice! With a partner, discuss why you are studying English. Use infinitives of purpose. Try to also use in order to. Examples: I am studying English to find a job in the United States. I am studying English in order to understand my co-workers better. Choose one person to report a comparison of your reasons. Are your reasons similar or different? Example: Our reasons for studying English are different. Denisse is studying English to prepare for college in the United States. I am studying English in order to get a job. Example: Our reasons for studying English are similar. We are both studying English to improve our listening skills.