English Grammar and Exercises for ESL learners.

FOR - TO

It is sometimes not clear what structure to use to talk about the use of an object
as opposed to the reason for using the object .

Use or function of things/objects

To explain the function of an object, what it is used for, we use for followed by
a noun or a verb in the -ing form.
- What is this sponge for? (= What is its purpose or function?)
  It is for cleaning the sink.
- What's this knife for? (= What do you use it for?)
  It's for opening oysters.
- What's the new suit for? (= What are you going to wear it for?)
  It's for my new job. I want to make a good impression!
- What's that knob for?
  It's for turning on the radiator.
Reason for doing something

To explain why we do something, the reason for which it is done,
we use the infinitive (example: to do).
- What do you use this sponge for? (= Why do you use it?)
  I use it to clean the sink.
- Why did you turn on the radio? (= What did you turn on the radio for?)
  I turned on the radio to listen to the news.
- Why are you running?
  I'm running to catch the bus.
- Why do you study every day?
  I study every day to improve my level of English.
- Why did you go to London?
  I went to London to visit Buckingham Palace.

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