Expressing purpose with ‘to’ and ‘for’

Expressing purpose with to and for

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We can use to + infinitive and for + noun to talk about the purpose of an action or the reason why we do something.

To + infinitive

• I went to the grocery store to buy some vegetables. 
• I studied hard to pass the exam.

For + noun

• Let’s go to the pub for a drink. 
• We climbed to the top for the views.

Compare to vs for

• I went to the shop to buy some milk. 
• I went to the shop for some milk. 

For + -ing

Don’t use for + -ing verb to talk about why we do something

We don’t use for + -ing verb to say what is the purpose of our actions, why we do something.

• I work hard for improving my English.
• I work hard to improve my English.
• Turn the TV on for watching the news.
• Turn the TV on to watch the news.

Use for + -ing verb to talk about the purpose or function of an object

We can use to + infinitive or for + ing verb to talk about the purpose or function of a thing, what an object is used for.

• This machine is used for cleaning cars.
• This machine is used to clean cars.
• This is a special camera for photographing small objects.  
• This is a special camera to photograph small objects.