English 1 Unit 2: Infinitives of purpose

 Infinitives of Purpose

Adapted from: http://gmx.xmu.edu.cn/ews/exercises/grammar/01/01ex96.htm

A 'to'-infinitive is used to show purpose: He was sent to france to learn French.

- She is buying nail-polish. + She wants to paint her fingernails. = She is buying mail-polish to paint her fingernails.
- Sam went to the store. +  He needed to buy some gifts for his friends. = Sam went to the store to buy some gifts for his friends.

Join the following sentences using infinitives of purpose. (Answer key below)

1. The lion-tamer opened the lions' cage. He intended to free the lions.

2. We were given a money-box each. We are to keep our savings in it. (Omit 'it')

3. The farmer put a scarecrow in the middle of the field. He wanted to frighten the crows away.

4. I took off my shoes. I wanted to clean and polish them.

5. Their mother called them. She wanted to tell them the good news.

6. The workmen left a red light on the road. They wanted to make motorists aware of the hole.

7. They evacuated everybody from the danger zone. They wanted to reduce the risk.

8. His parents are sending him to the United States. They want him to study medicine there.

9. The thief changed his address constantly. He wanted to elude the police.

10. My teacher left the classroom. She wanted to discuss a problem with the principal.

11. They covered the floor with newspaper. They wanted to prevent it from getting paint on it.

12. The scouts are collecting firewood. They intend to put it on the fire.

13. He coughed loudly. He wanted to warn them that their father was coming to their room.

14. The women had their hair dyed at the hairdressing salon. They wanted to look younger than their actual age.

15. He keeps his hens in an area surrounded by wire-netting. He wants to protect them against wild animals.

 

Answer Key

1. The lion-tamer opened the lions' cage to free the lions.
2. We were given a money-box each to keep our savings.
3. The farmer put a scarecrow in the middle of the field to frighten the crows away.
4. I took off my shoes to clean and polish them.
5. Their mother called them to tell them the good news.
6. The workmen left a red light on the road to make motorists aware of the hole.
7. They evacuated everybody from the danger zone to reduce the risk.
8. His parents are sending him to the United States to study medicine.
9. The thief changed his address constantly to elude the police.
10. My teacher left the classroom to discuss a problem with the principal.
11. They covered the floor with newspaper to prevent it from getting paint on it.
12. The scouts are collecting firewood to put it on the fire.
13. He coughed loudly to warn them that their father was coming to their room.
14. The women had their hair dyed at the hairdressing salon to look younger than their actual age.
15. He keeps his hens in an area surrounded by wire-netting to protect them against wild animals.

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