We can use to + infinitive when we want to say why someone did something. We use so that to say that one person does something and as a result someone else can do or doesn't have to do something else.
We can use to + infinitive when we want to say why someone did something. We use so that to say that one person does something and as a result someone else can do or doesn't have to do something else.
We can use to + infinitive when we want to say why someone did something. We use so that to say that one person does something and as a result someone else can do or doesn't have to do something else.
English has various ways of expressing purpose. We can use so that or in order to; sometimes we can simply use the verb infinitive. Expressing purpose with a verb infinitive We use to + infinitive when we want to show the purpose of an action. (purpose = why we do something) We can use to + infinitive when we want to say why someone did something. A: 'Why did you go to London?' B: 'To see my sister.'
I'm going to the bank to get some money. We can use to + infinitive when we want to say why something exists. The information desk is there to help tourists. The police were there to control the crowd. We can use to + infinitive after adjectives likeeasy, hard, difficult, impossible, etc. It's hard to speak a foreign language fluently. It's impossible to walk on water. She finds it easy to make new friends. 'to' vs. 'for' We use for before a noun: for dinner, for lunch, for a holiday. We use to before a verb: to eat, to have a holiday. I went to Madrid for learning to learn Spanish.
Compare: What would you like to eat? What would you like for breakfast?
Expressing purpose with 'so that' We often use to + infinitive to express a purpose. (We say: I went to the bank to get some money;I took a taxi to get there faster, etc.) Sometimes we cannot use the infinitive - we must use so that. We use so that to say that one person does something and as a result someone else can do or doesnt have to do something else. We built a pool in the garden so that the children can (or could) swim in hot weather. He bought his wife a car so that she didnt have to take the bus so often. They guarded the prisoner well so that he didnt (or wouldnt) escape. We use so that to say that one action makes Ive bought a dictionary so that I can learn more. I bought a dictionary so that I could learn more. 2
another action possible.
We use so that + can / could / will be able to / would have. Im going to buy a dictionary so that I can (or will be able to) learn more. We arrived at the theatre early so that we would have time to eat before the show. We use so that to say that one action will help us to avoid having to do something.
We use so that + dont have to / wont have to / wouldnt have to. Im going shopping this evening so that I dont (or wont) have togo tomorrow. I go shopping on Friday evenings so that I dont have to go at the weekends. I went shopping on Friday evening so that I didnt (or wouldn't)have to go at the weekend. We use so that to say that one action will prevent another thing happening.
We use so that + wont / wouldnt / dont. Ive brought an umbrella so that I dont (or wont) get wet. Im going to bring an umbrella so that I dont (or wont) get wet. I took an umbrella so that I wouldnt (or didn't) get wet. I always carry an umbrella so that I dont get wet. 'So that' or 'so'? In informal speech, native English speakers often omit that and say only so. However, this can be confusing for learners and we recommend you use so that in its full form.
Alternatives to so that: so that I could learn = in order to learn so that I didnt have to learn = in order not to have to learn (in order that and in order not are more formal than so that)
With stative verbs (know, have, seem, appear, etc.) we often use in order to or so as to instead of 'so that'.
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TIPS FOR WRITING A GOOD COMPOSITION
1 st STEP - Analysis of the title The title must be analyzed identifying the three main points :
Subject Focus Comment
2 nd STEP - Brainstorming Reflect on the focus identified by the title and take notes. Remember to cross out the banal and superficial ideas.
3 rd STEP - Organization The organization changes according to the kind of essay you are going to write.
A. In the case of an essay by listing you can follow the scheme below :
Introducers : establish the topic focus and the point of view 1 st paragraph
Introductory sentence (In fact/For example X has three main aspects / X should be 1, 2, 3) about how the work will be organized 4
Developers : define the ideas anticipated in the introduction, present examples and details to support them
Modulators : sentences that consent a passage from a point of view, context or aspect to another 3 rd , 4 th , 5 th
paragraphs Point 1 (First, Firstly )
Point 2 (Then / Secondly )
Point 3 (The third argument / Thirdly ) * R e m e m b e r
y o u
a r e
n o t
e x p r e s s i n g
y o u r
o p i n i o n
i n
t h i s
p h a s e
Terminators : paragraphs that conclude the ideas in a logical and psychologically satisfying way 6 th paragraph Personal opinion and conclusion : Now you can express your opinion and make reference to your personal experience * * For the use of linkers, refer to the table below.
EXAMPLE Develop the title given following the table below. Qualities for Success in the 21 st Century
1 st STEP - Analysis of the title The title must be analyzed identifying the three main points :
Subject Focus Comment Qualities for Success in the 21 st Century Reasoning by list and examples, expressing opinion 2 nd STEP - Brainstorming
Reflect on the focus identified by the title and take notes. Remember to cross out the banal and superficial ideas.
Subject Focus Comment 5
Personal qualities for success success in the 21 st Century Reasoning by list and examples, expressing opinion Identification of qualities Reasoning on flexibility (what it is, why it is necessary)
Reasoning on honesty (what it is, why it is necessary)
Reasoning on creativity (what it is, why it is necessary)
Reasoning on perseverance (what it is, why it is necessary)
Reasons for your choice, results of reasoning
3 rd STEP - Organization
what personal qualities will be needed for success in the 21 st century? 1 st paragraph
Pre-topic sentence (background information) Possibly the four most essential attributes are 2 nd paragraph
Introductory sentence (In fact/For example X has three main aspects / X should be 1, 2, 3) about how the work will be organized (listing) flexibility (what it is, why it is necessary, example) honesty (what it is, why it is necessary, example) creativity (what it is, why it is necessary, example) perseverance (what it is, why it is necessary, example) 3 rd , 4 th , 5 th , 6 th
paragraphs Point 1 (First, Firstly )
Point 2 (Then / Secondly )
Point 3 (The third argument / Thirdly )
Point 4 (Finally) * R e m e m b e r
y o u
a r e
n o t
e x p r e s s i n g
y o u r
o p i n i o n
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t h i s
p h a s e
as today, so in the future 7 th paragraph Personal opinion and conclusion : Now you can express your opinion and make reference to 6
your personal experience * * For the use of linkers, refer to the table below .
B. In the case of an essay by arguments for and against you can follow the scheme below :
Introducers : establish the topic focus and the point of view 1 st paragraph
Background information 2 nd paragraph
How the work will be organized Suitable verbs : going to, will, intend, look at, deal with
Developers : define the ideas anticipated in the introduction, present examples and details to support them
Modulators : sentences that consent a passage from a point of view, context or aspect to another 3 rd paragraph Arguments for Introductory sentence (There are three points) Point 1 (Firstly ) Point 2 (Secondly ) Point 3 (The third argument ) * R e m e m b e r
y o u
a r e
n o t
e x p r e s s i n g
y o u r
o p i n i o n
i n
t h i s
p h a s e
4 th paragraph
Arguments against Introductory sentence (Three points / aspects can be ) Point 1 (First, ) Point 2 (Then / secondly ) Point 3 (Thirdly ) *
Terminators : paragraphs that conclude the ideas in a logical and 5 th paragraph Personal opinion and conclusion : Now you can express your opinion and make 7
psychologically satisfying way reference to your personal experience * * For the use of linkers, refer to the table below.
EXAMPLE Develop the title given following the table below. Should smoking be allowed in public places?
1 st STEP - Analysis of the title The title must be analyzed identifying the three main points : Subject Focus Comment Smoking Smoking in public places? Answering, expressing opinion
2 nd STEP - Brainstorming Reflect on the focus identified by the title and take notes. Remember to cross out the banal and superficial ideas. Subject Focus Comment Smoking Smoking in public places? Answering, expressing opinion Present situation Reasons for the present law Reasons of the smokers Reasons of the non-smokers Effects on health Psychological aspects Social, economic and political aspects etc.
3 rd STEP - Organization
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people are more aware of the dangers of smoking today smokers are separated from non-smokers in most countries 1 st paragraph Background information Im going to examine 2 nd paragraph How the work will be organized Suitable verbs : going to, will, intend, look at, deal with smoking not illegal passive smoking causes cancer? No proof 3 rd paragraph Arguments for Introductory sentence (There are three points) Point 1 (Firstly ) Point 2 (Secondly ) Point 3 (The third argument ) R e m e m b e r
y o u
a r e
n o t
e x p r e s s i n g
y o u r
o p i n i o n
i n
t h i s
p h a s e
a dirty habit cause of fires non-smokers need a smoke- free environment 4 th paragraph
Arguments against Introductory sentence (As regards the arguments against, three points/aspects can be ) Point 1 (First, ) Point 2 (Then / secondly ) Point 3 (Thirdly )*
separate smokers special tax on cigarettes 5 th paragraph Personal opinion and conclusion : Now you can express your opinion and make reference to your personal experience * For the use of linkers, refer to the table below :
Table of linkers : To give order Firstly - at first - initially - and - then - immediately afterwards - later on - some time - later - in conclusion To indicate consequence As a result - as a consequence - consequently - thus - therefore because of that To indicate continuation And - moreover - besides - furthermore - in addition to 9
To indicate simultaneity Meanwhile - while - in the meantime To contrast or contradict Instead - yet - but - on the contrary - even if - even though - however - on one hand / on the other hand - nevertheless - in spite of To rephrase In other words - that is to say - this means that - i.e.(Latin : id est) - to put it another way To exemplify That is - namely - e.g. (Latin : exempli gratia = for example) - for example - for instance - an example of this is - To express opinion In my opinion - I am of the opinion that - as regards me - as far as I am concerned - as concerns me - to my way of thinking - to my mind - I personally believe that To conclude Last - finally - to conclude - summing up - to wind/wrap/sum up