If we want to give a reason why a person does something, we use “to…”:
V + to V(inf)…
Examples:
Old Mother Hubbard went to the cupboard to get her poor dog a bone… (nursery rhyme)
I called the Pizza Stop to order a pizza.
Why did the chicken cross the road? —To get to the other side. (riddle)
Father sent a postcard to Grandmother to show her the beautiful beaches of Hawaii.
To have some peace and quiet, Mother told the children to play outside.
Jack stopped by the mall to buy a Christmas present.
Note: In this usage, “to V(inf)…” has exactly the same meaning as “in order to V(inf)…”:
Examples:
Old Mother Hubbard went to the cupboard (in order) to get her poor dog a bone…
I called the Pizza Stop (in order) to order a pizza.
Why did the chicken cross the road? — (In order) to get to the other side.
Note: Although using “to…” seems similar to using “for…,” there is an important difference:
“to V(inf)…” <– a verb follows “to”
“for N…” <– a noun follows “for”
Compare:
Old Mother Hubbard went to the cupboard to get her poor dog a bone…
Old Mother Hubbard went to the cupboard for a bone…
I called the Pizza Stop to order a pizza.
I called the Pizza Stop for a pizza.
Father sent a postcard to Grandmother to show her the beautiful beaches of Hawaii.
Father sent a postcard for Grandmother.
To have some peace and quiet, Mother told the children to play outside.
For some peace and quiet, Mother told the children to play outside.
Jack stopped by the mall to buy a Christmas present.
Jack stopped by the mall for a Christmas present.
Other differences with “to…” and “for…”:
“wait for…”: wait on account of someone or something, because of someone or something
Children don’t like to wait for Christmas.
We got to the station early, so we had to wait for the train.
“wait to…”: wait to do something
Mother was so tired she couldn’t wait to get home and go to bed.
Jack had to wait to open his Christmas present.
Simba couldn’t wait to be king.
“wait for (somebody/something) to …”: wait for someone or something to do something
The pupils sat quietly and waited for their teacher to arrive.
I can’t wait for Uncle Pete to come visit us!
Children’s Rhyme: Old Mother Hubbard
Old Mother Hubbard
Went to the cupboard,
To give the poor dog a bone;
When she came there,
The cupboard was bare,
And so the poor dog had none.
Old Mother Hubbard and her Dog
She went to the baker’s
To buy him some bread;
When she came back
The dog was dead!
She went to the undertaker’s
To buy him a coffin;
When she came back
The dog was laughing.
She took a clean dish
to get him some tripe;
When she came back
He was smoking his pipe.
She went to the alehouse
To get him some beer;
When she came back
The dog sat in a chair.
She went to the tavern
For white wine and red;
When she came back
The dog stood on his head.
She went to the fruiterer’s
To buy him some fruit;
When she came back
He was playing the flute.
She went to the tailor’s
To buy him a coat;
When she came back
He was riding a goat.
She went to the hatter’s
To buy him a hat;
When she came back
He was feeding her cat.
She went to the barber’s
To buy him a wig
When she came back
He was dancing a jig.
She went to the cobbler’s
To buy him some shoes;
When she came back
He was reading the news.
She went to the sempstress
To buy him some linen;
When she came back
The dog was spinning.
She went to the hosier’s
To buy him some hose;
When she came back
He was dressed in his clothes.
The Dame made a curtsy,
The dog made a bow;
The Dame said, Your servant;
The dog said, Bow-wow.
This wonderful dog
Was Dame Hubbard’s delight,
He could read, he could dance,
He could sing, he could write;
She gave him rich dainties
Whenever he fed,
And erected this monument
When he was dead.
Exercises. Write sentences starting with “I went to…,” matching a given phrase in the first set with an appropriate phrase from the second set.
Example:
(the library) (return a book) ==> I went to the library to return a book.
Set A
City Hall
the jeweler’s
the school
the store
the train station
Set B
buy some bread
have my watch repaired
obtain a permit
pick up Uncle Jack
talk to Jane’s teacher
1. ______________________________________.
2. ______________________________________.
3. ______________________________________.
4. ______________________________________.
5. ______________________________________.
Exercises. Complete the following sentences, using the given phrases.
Example:
Mother got up early (to prepare breakfast). ==> Mother got up early to prepare breakfast.
to catch his breath
to chill
to dig his well
to entertain the children
to invite me to their holiday party
to irritate his sister
to learn self-defense
to log in
to stay awake
to ward off evil spirits
1. You need a password _____________________________.
2. Grandfather sat down _____________________________.
3. Aunt Alice told a story _____________________________.
4. Medieval people put gargoyles on buildings _____________________________.
5. Father drank some black coffee _____________________________.
6. Put the dough in the refrigerator _____________________________.
7. Uncle Paul hired a contractor _____________________________.
8. Tim joined a karate club _____________________________.
9. Mike played the same song over and over again _____________________________.
10. Mr. Smith called me _____________________________.
Exercises. Write to or for.
Example:
I’m going to St. Louis ______ a business trip. ==> I’m going to St. Louis for a business trip.
I’m going to St. Louis ______ see the Cardinals play the Cubs. ==> I’m going to St. Louis to see the Cardinals play the Cubs.
1. Can you come to our house next weekend ______ a barbecue?
2. I called the dentist ______ make an appointment.
3. I called the doctor ______ my lab results.
4. Jack brought a snowblower ______ clear off the sidewalk.
5. Jacob tried to frighten Hannah ______ stop her hiccups.
6. Kelly knitted a pair of socks ______ her piano teacher.
7. Mother used a rag ______ polish the silver.
8. Peter carries a rabbit’s foot ______ good luck.
9. The plumber used a monkey wrench ______ loosen the rusted nut.
10. We went to Florida ______ Christmas.
Exercises. Complete the sentences, choosing from the following phrases.
Example:
The soldiers waited _____________________________. (their captain / give the all-clear signal) ==> The soldiers waited for their captain to give the all-clear signal.
(the President // give his speech)
(Mother // come home)
(the mouse // emerge from its hole)
(the phone // stop ringing)
(the snow // melt)
1. The cat waited _____________________________.
2. I know you’re hungry, but we have to wait _____________________________.
3. The snowbound travelers waited _____________________________.
4. Sally waited _____________________________.
5. The reporters are waiting _____________________________.
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