Connectors of purpose

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.

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Connectors of Addition and Contrast

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Ex. contrast 1, ex. contrast 2, ex. contrast 3

Ex. mixed 1, ex. mixed 2

Connectors of cause and results

Cause and effect sentences show a clear, direct relationship between events. They show how one event or action triggers an outcome. They may also show how an effect has more than one cause, or a cause has more than one effect.

 

 

Linking words of cause and result

1. Linking words of cause and result

The linking words of cause introduce a sentence that tells 

the cause or reason why an action occurs. The linking words of result introduce a sentence that expresses the consequence or effect of the cause.

2. Different linking words of cause

• Conjunctions followed by a complete sentence:
  • Because: it usually follows the main clause: Everybody likes her because she's very kind and friendly.
    
  • As and since are very similar. As is less formal than since. They are used when the reason is well known. The clauses that start with these words often begin the sentence:
    As I was very tired, I went to bed early.
     Since you are not interested, I won't tell you about it.
    (As and since can also be used as time connectors).
  • For suggests that the reason is given as an afterthought. For-clauses never come at the beginning of the sentence. For is mainly used in literary texts, therefore, it is very formal.
    We listened eagerly, for he brought news of our families.

• Connectors followed by a noun, a noun phrase, a pronoun or a gerund:
  • Because of: They have had problems raising cash because of the credit crunch.
  • Due to and owing to are considered by many speakers as exact equivalents, but this is not so, because due to is adjectival (it follows a noun or pronoun), whereas owing to is adverbial (it complements a verb). Compare these examples:
    The game was cancelled owing to torrential rain. 
    The cancellation of the game was due to torrential rain.
    If you are doubtful as to which of these you can use, here's a trick: try to substitute due to with “caused by” and see if it works. *The game was cancelled caused by torrential rain.* doesn't sound correct, so it's not possible to use due to in this case. On the other hand, The cancellation of the game was caused by torrential rain, sounds fine. 
    Owing to is interchangeable with because of: The game was cancelled because of torrential rain.
  • On account of: The nurse had to keep the baby in another room on account of my illness.
    
  • Thanks to suggests that there is some cause for gratitude, though it can be used sarcastically. She was given a scholarship thanks to her excellent grades.

3. Different linking words of consequence or effect

• Thus (very formal): He was the eldest son, and thus, heir to the title.
  

• Therefore (formal, used mainly in written English): She is only seventeen and therefore not eligible to vote.
  
• As a result: There has been a rise in the number of accidents. As a result, the government has decided to lower the speed limit. 
   As a result of the rise in the number of accidents, the government...
• As a result of is followed by a noun, pronoun or gerund. Can you rewrite the previous example using as a result of?
• So (less formal): There was nothing on TV, so I decided to go to bed.
  
• That's why: Cold temperatures kill mosquitos. That's why you won't see them in winter.
  
• For this reason: The Colonel was confident that war was impending, and for this reason he hurried his preparations to leave the country.
  
• Consequently (used especially in written English): This poses a threat to the food chain, and consequently to human health.
  

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