Definition / Explanation
We often use to + verb to explain the purpose of an action. It answers the question "Why?" in a short and clear way. For example, I went out to buy bread means that buying bread was the reason for going out. This structure is common in everyday English and is often simpler than longer phrases like in order to. It should show purpose, not just the next action in time.
Key Rules
- Form: to + base verb.
- Use it to answer Why?
- It often comes after a verb of movement: go out to buy bread.
- It can also come after other actions: call to ask, sit down to rest.
- Do not use for + verb in this structure.
Examples
- I went out to buy bread.
- She called to ask a question.
- We stopped to rest.
- He is saving money to travel.
- I came here to help you.
Common Mistakes
- ❌ I went out for buy bread. -> ✅ I went out to buy bread.
- ❌ She called for ask a question. -> ✅ She called to ask a question.
- ❌ We stopped to resting. -> ✅ We stopped to rest.