VOA - Lerning English

Learning English, listening news in differents levels.

http://learningenglish.voanews.com/

The guardian

A good newspaper to learn English with a good wide vocabulary.

http://www.theguardian.com

Test your English

Website to prove your level.

http://www.cambridgeenglish.org/test-your-english/

Expressing purpose

There are several different ways of expressing purpose (saying why people do things).

Infinitive with to
I'm writing to thank you for the lovely present you sent.
The negative infinitive, not to do something, cannot be used to express purpose.

In order (not) to + infinitive
She wore dark hat in order not to be recognized.

So as (not) to + infinitive
We set off early so as to avoid the traffic.

So (that) + clause
Future meaning: so (that) + can/will + Infinitive
I'm going to save some money so I can go away on holiday.
I'll take an umbrella so that I don't/won't get wet.
Past meaning: so (that) + could/would + Infinitive
I sat near the front so that I could see the board better.

In case + clause
If we do something to prepare for a possible situation or problem we use in case + present simple/past simple
Future meaning: in case + Present simple
Here are some crisps in case you get hungry later on.
Past meaning: in case + Past simple
He made a copy in case he lost the original.

In case and if
Note the difference in meaning between in case and if:
I'll take my umbrella if it rains. (=I'll take my umbrella only if it is raining when I leave the house.)
I'll take my umbrella in ase it rains. (=I'll take my umbrella as a precaution, even if it isn't raining when I leave the house.)