My English Corner for 1st Bachillerato: November 2025

Examples

In the beginning

First, I went to the barber shop.
I had three reasons to visit my granny. Firstly, she always listens to me and gives me a good advice.
Once they finished their meals, they hopped into the bus.
Once upon a time, there was a sweet little girl.
One day, she went to the river with her friends.
We had an awful time! To begin with, my girlfriend got sick on the first day.

In the middle

They were tired after playing so many matches last weekend.
But after a while I noticed things.
We went to the movies and after that out for ice cream.
My mom found a recipe on the Internet. Afterward, she went to the supermarket to buy the ingredients.
We had dinner and then went out.
I was really busy today. I had to send some e-mails and I also had to finish the project.
She went to the zoo and bought a stuffed hippopotamus.
As the cat left the kitchen, the rats came out.
As soon as he woke up, he checked his phone for messages.
Before he came, we didn't have a good teacher.
Later, I took a shower.
She worked in a shop. Moreover, she studied very hard.
I had a math class and next an English class.
It was the moment I knew I love her.
I called my mother and then I charged my cell phone.
I was happy when I was younger.

Interruptions

She showed up all of a sudden without any invitation.
For years my family used to ride a bicycle, but then they bought a car.
Suddenly, we heard a strange noise.
Unexpectedly, the children in the bedroom started crying.

Simultaneously

She talked during the whole meeting.
I was studying. Meanwhile, my brother was in the swimming pool.
She was cooking while the baby was sleeping.

In the end

I expected to fail the exam, but I passed after all.
At last, she passed the exam.
He scored a goal at the end of the match.
He reached home by the end of the day.
My parents eventually relented and let me go to the party.
My sister worked hard, and in the end, she passed her exam.
Finally, she got engaged in March.
Lastly, the party ended with the cake cutting ceremony.

Ex. 1

Ex. 2

Ex. 3

Presentation

To + infinitive

The most common way to express purpose in English is to + infinitive.

The student worked hard to pass the test.

In order to/so as to + infinitive

In order to or so as to + infinitive are more common in formal English, mainly in writing. The negative forms are in order not to and so as not to + infinitive.

We were asked to stay in order to finish the project.
He left home early in order not to be late.
Use a plastic hammer so as to avoid damage.
They walked quietly so as not to wake up the children.

We can also use the structure in order for someone/something to do something.

We need to mobilize the media in order for the Government to listen to us.
Three different surgeries were necessary in order for him to survive.

So that + clause

We can also use so that + subject + verb to express purpose. We normally use a modal verb with this connector, e.g. could, can, would, etc.

We left early so that we could park near the centre.
He made some flashcards so that it would be easier for his mum to remember the instructions.

For + noun

We can also use for + noun to express purpose.

We went to the bar for a drink.
Would you like to go to the park for a run?

We can use for + –ing verb (instead of to + infinitive) to talk about the purpose of an object or action when we use the verb used or when we imply it.

This knife is (used) for cutting plastic.
Schools are for educating, not for entertaining.

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In case + clause

To express purpose, we can also use in case + subject + verb. We use this form to talk about precautions, when we do something because something we don’t want might happen.

Take an umbrella in case it rains. (=Take an umbrella so that you won’t get wet if it rains)
I won’t tell Ann in case she tells everyone else.

We can also use with the aim of + noun to express the intention behind an action.

With the aim of + noun

We can also use with the aim of + noun to express the intention behind an action.

Sarah moved to London with the aim of finding a better job.
She started the NGO with the aim of helping disabled people.

For the purpose of + noun

We can also use for the purpose of + noun to express the reason for which something exists or is done.

They organised the meeting for the purpose of brainstorming the problem.

For the sake of + noun

We can also use for the sake of + noun to express the reason for doing something, often for the benefit of someone or something.

They stayed together for the sake of the children.
Peter had married Fiona in the first place for the sake of her father's property.

With the intention of + noun

We can also use with the intention of + noun to express the purpose or plan behind an action.

He went to Brazil with the intention of seeing the great carnival.
She set up the shop with the intention of selling.

For the benefit of + noun

We can also use for the benefit of + noun to indicate that something is done to help or benefit someone.

The company owner sponsored recreational and social activities for the benefit of his workers.

In a bid to + infinitive

We can also use in a bid to + infinitive to indicate an attempt to achieve something.

The magazine plans to change its image in a bid to atract more viewers.
Sonya went on a diet in a bid to lose some weight before summer.

For the reason that + clause

We can also use for the reason of + noun to express the purpose behind an action.

The rights of women should be protected for the reason that they bear the responsibility of reproduction of human beings.
Mary declined the offer for the reason that it didn't align her goals.

In the hope of + noun

We can use in the hope of + noun to express the desired outcome of an action.

He applied for the jobs in the hope of advancing his career.
Thomas took a business risk in the hope of making a profit.

With the objective of + noun

We can also use with the objective of + noun to indicate the goal behind an action.

They held a meeting with the objective of resolving the issue.
The intention of the website is to attract young people looking for jobs with the objective of providing quick and basic answers to queries.

For the express purpose of + noun

We can use for the express purpose of + noun to emphasize the specific reason for doing something.

She travelled to the city for the express purpose of attending the conference.
I got my first professional camera for the express purpose of taking photos of parks and gardens.

In the interest of + noun

We can use in the interest of + noun to indicate that something is done for the benefit of someone or something.

The policy was implemented in the interest of attending public safety.
The positions were created in the interest of clients.

With the goal of + noun

We can use with the goal of + noun to express the aim or target of an action.

He started a business with the goal of becoming financially independent.
The book was developed by a team of translators in the interest of with the goal of being understandable to contemporary readers.

In an attempt to + noun

We can use in an attempt to + infinitive to show the purpose of trying to achieve something.

She changed her diet in an attempt to becoming improve her health.
He cut the rope in an attempt to free his feet. .

In the pursuit of + noun

We can use in the pursuit of + noun to indicate the purpose of striving for something.

She dedicated her life to science in the pursuit of knowledge.
Jim never spared himself in the pursuit of excellence.

With the desire to + infinitive

We can use with the desire to + infinitive to express the wish or intention behind an action.

He took up painting with the desire to express his creativity.
Her fingers nerviously itched with the desire to of slap his face.

In the quest for + noun

We can use in the quest for + noun to indicate the purpose of searching for something.

She travelled ther world in the quest for adventure.
Many people are ready to changer their lifestyle in the quest for a longer life.

With the aspiration to + infinitive

We can use with the aspiration to + infinitive to express the hope or ambition behind an action.

They launched the project with the aspiration to positively impact the environment.

In the effort to + infinitive

We can use in the effort to + infinitive to show the purpose of trying to achieve something.

They collaborated in the effort to support local charities.