Cuando expresamos un propósito + verbo (para + verbo) solemos utilizar TO + inf. en la mayoría de los casos. Pero a veces dudamos si expresarlo mediante FOR + -ing.
We must understand the usage of “to verb”
and “for verb” to be able to distinguish between the contexts where these
phrases can be used correctly.
Use of “to verb" – This phrase is used
when we need to present the purpose or the intention of an action. This phrase
is actually a shorter way of “writing” “in order to verb”. Let’s take the
simple sentences with this phrase we mentioned in the beginning of the article.
1. Joe wrote a book to share his experiences with others: This sentence correctly
uses “to share” because it presents the purpose why Joe wrote the book. It is
explicit from the context that Joe wrote the book because he wanted to share
his experience with others.
2. Joe
got acclaims to write the book: This sentence does not use “to write” correctly
because writing the book is certainly not the purpose of Joe getting acclaims.
Use of “for verb-ing” – Since “for” is a
preposition, it can modify either a noun or a verb. Prepositional phrase “for
verb-ing” can modify the verb or the noun in that it denotes some relation to
the entity it modifies. Let’s understand this through the previously mentioned
simple sentences.
1. Joe
got acclaims for writing the book: This sentence correctly uses “for writing”
because this prepositional phrase logically modifies the verb “got”. Here,
there is no question of presenting any purpose. The sentence rather explains
“what for” Joe got acclaims. Hence, use of “for writing” is correct.
2. Joe
wrote a book for sharing his experiences with others: This sentence incorrectly
uses “for sharing” to denote Joe’s intention of writing the book.
for or to + infinitive: individual purpose
For is commonly used with nouns to express
individual purpose:
I popped into the supermarket for some
apples on the way home.
(Not: I popped into the supermarket for
buying some apples…)
I stopped by at his office for a chat about
our marketing strategy.
(Not: I stopped by at his office for having
a chat about marketing.)
I decided I would save up for a new
computer.
(NOT: I decided I would save up for buying
a new computer.)
If we want to express individual purpose
with a verb pattern, we are obliged to use to + infinitive:
I stopped by at the supermarket to buy some
apples on the way home.
I popped into his office to have a chat
about our marketing policy.
I decided to save up to buy a new computer.
For + verb-ing: the purpose of an object
However, if we are talking about the
purpose of an object or an action, we normally use the for + verb-ing pattern.
Note that this pattern commonly answers the question: What are they (used) for?
Compare the following:
Schools are for educating children not for
entertaining them.
Schools are for learning. Life is for
living.
This kitchen knife is especially useful for
slicing vegetables.
What's this for? ~ It's for opening
oysters. It's much better than a knife.
What's this fifty pound note for? ~ It's
for buying food for the weekend.
Note that when the subject of the sentence
is a person rather than the thing described, the to + infinitive pattern is
also possible:
I use this small knife to slice vegetables
with.
I use this gadget to open shellfish with.
Note that, as an alternative to to +
infinitive, we might use in order to, or so as to, to express individual
purpose when we want to be more formal or explicit about the reason for doing
something. All of these structures answer the question: Why…?. Compare the
following:
I went to bed early in order to get enough
sleep before the exam.
After four weeks of exams, I went to the
seaside to rest.
After twenty days of exams, I went to the
seaside for a rest.
After all those exams, I went to the
seaside so as to have a good rest.
The in order to and so as to structures are
particularly useful with stative verbs such as be, have, know, appear, and
before negative inifinitives:
So as not to appear foolish, I learnt all I
could about the company before going for the interview.
I'm going to move to the city centre in
order to be near where I work.
In order not to have to commute, she bought
a flat in the town centre.
In order to know more about him, she
studied his movements carefully.
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