Stating Purpose in English: A B2 Functional Lesson to Express Your Intentions Clearly

Introduction to Stating Purpose

Welcome to this B2 English lesson focused on stating purpose! Being able to clearly express why you are doing something is a crucial skill in English communication. Whether you’re explaining your goals, giving instructions, or simply chatting with friends, knowing how to state your purpose effectively will make your English sound more natural and sophisticated. In this lesson, we’ll explore various ways to express your intentions in English, focusing on practical usage and speaking applications.

What is ‘Stating Purpose’ in English?

Stating purpose simply means explaining the reason why you are doing something. It’s about clarifying your intention or goal behind an action. In English, we use specific grammatical structures and phrases to effectively state our purpose. Mastering these structures is essential for clear and concise communication, especially at a B2 level where you aim for fluency and accuracy in expressing more complex ideas.

How to State Your Purpose – Common Structures

There are several common ways to state your purpose in English. Let’s explore some key structures with examples:

Using ‘to’ + infinitive

This is one of the most common and straightforward ways to express purpose. We use ‘to’ followed by the base form of the verb (infinitive).

Examples:

I went to the library to study for my exam. (Purpose: studying for the exam)
She is saving money to buy a new car. (Purpose: buying a new car)
We exercise regularly to stay healthy. (Purpose: staying healthy)

Notice how ‘to + infinitive’ clearly answers the question “Why?”. This structure is very useful in everyday spoken English practice.

Using ‘in order to’ + infinitive

‘In order to’ is a more formal way of saying ‘to’ and also expresses purpose. It often adds emphasis to the intention.

Examples:

I woke up early in order to catch the train. (Purpose: catching the train)
They are working hard in order to succeed in their business. (Purpose: succeeding in their business)
We need to book tickets in order to get good seats. (Purpose: getting good seats)

‘In order to’ is particularly useful when you want to make your purpose sound more deliberate. This is a great way to improve your English vocabulary range when stating purpose.

Using ‘so as to’ + infinitive

‘So as to’ is another formal way to express purpose, similar to ‘in order to’, but it is less common in spoken English and more frequently used in writing or more formal speech.

Examples:

He lowered his voice so as not to disturb anyone. (Purpose: not disturbing anyone)
The company restructured so as to improve efficiency. (Purpose: improving efficiency)
We left early so as to avoid the traffic. (Purpose: avoiding the traffic)

While grammatically correct, ‘so as to’ might sound a bit stiff in casual conversation. Focus on ‘to’ and ‘in order to’ for most spoken English practice scenarios. However, understanding it helps with overall English grammar for purpose.

Using ‘for’ + noun/gerund

We can also use ‘for’ followed by a noun or a gerund (verb + -ing) to express purpose, especially when talking about the function or use of something.

Examples:

This knife is for cutting bread. (Purpose: cutting bread)
These glasses are for reading. (Purpose: reading)
We went to Italy for a holiday. (Purpose: having a holiday)

Using ‘for’ is very common when describing the intended use of objects or actions. This is a practical way to express intentions in everyday situations.

Using ‘so that’ + clause

‘So that’ is used to introduce a purpose clause, which contains a subject and a verb. It often expresses purpose in terms of achieving a result or benefit.

Examples:

I’m saving money so that I can travel next year. (Purpose: to be able to travel next year)
She’s studying hard so that she will pass the exam. (Purpose: to pass the exam)
We left early so that we wouldn’t be late. (Purpose: to avoid being late)

With ‘so that’, we often use modal verbs like ‘can’, ‘will’, ‘could’, ‘would’, ‘might’ to express possibility or intention. This is a more complex structure but very useful for expressing intentions clearly.

Using ‘in case’ + clause

‘In case’ is used to express purpose related to preparation for something that might happen. It’s often about taking precautions.

Examples:

Take an umbrella in case it rains. (Purpose: preparation for rain)
I’ll write down his number in case I forget. (Purpose: preparation for forgetting)
Bring some extra food in case we get hungry later. (Purpose: preparation for getting hungry)

While ‘in case’ expresses a kind of purpose, it’s more about being prepared for a possible situation. Understanding its nuance is important for functional English B2 level.

Using ‘with the aim of’ + gerund

‘With the aim of’ is a more formal phrase to express purpose, indicating a specific goal or objective.

Examples:

The government introduced new policies with the aim of reducing unemployment. (Purpose: reducing unemployment)
They launched a campaign with the aim of raising awareness about climate change. (Purpose: raising awareness about climate change)
He started exercising with the aim of improving his fitness. (Purpose: improving his fitness)

‘With the aim of’ is useful in more formal contexts, especially when discussing objectives and strategies. This adds to your repertoire of ways of expressing intentions in formal settings.

Why is Stating Purpose Important?

Stating purpose is vital for effective communication in English because:

Clarity: It makes your intentions clear and avoids misunderstandings.
Organization: It helps structure your sentences and thoughts logically.
Fluency: Using these structures naturally enhances your fluency in spoken English.
Professionalism: In professional settings, clearly stating your purpose is essential for effective communication in meetings, presentations, and written reports.
Understanding: When you understand how others state their purpose, you can better grasp their message and intentions.

By mastering these techniques for stating purpose in English, you’ll significantly improve your overall communication skills and sound more confident in your spoken English.

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Stating Purpose

Learners sometimes make a few common mistakes when stating purpose. Here are a few to be aware of:

Incorrect preposition after ‘purpose’: Avoid saying “purpose of to…” or “purpose for to…”. The correct usage is “purpose to…” or using phrases like “for the purpose of…”.
Overuse of ‘for’: While ‘for’ is useful, overusing it can make your speech sound repetitive. Vary your sentence structures by using ‘to’, ‘in order to’, ‘so that’, etc.
Incorrect verb form after ‘to’: Remember to always use the base form of the verb after ‘to’ (infinitive). For example, “to going” is incorrect; it should be “to go”.
Confusing ‘purpose’ with ‘reason’: While related, ‘purpose’ is more about intention, while ‘reason’ is about explanation. Sometimes learners use them interchangeably incorrectly. Focus on ‘purpose’ as the ‘why’ behind an action you *intend* to take or have taken with a specific goal in mind.

Being mindful of these common errors will help you refine your ability to state purpose accurately and confidently.

Let’s Practice!

Now it’s time to practice stating purpose! Complete the following sentences using the correct structure. Choose from: to, in order to, so as to, for, so that, in case, with the aim of.

I am going to the supermarket ______ buy some milk.
She is learning Spanish ______ travel to South America next year.
We need to leave early ______ miss the traffic.
He exercises every day ______ stay fit and healthy.
Take a map ______ you get lost.
The company is investing in new technology ______ improve productivity.
They whispered ______ not wake the baby.
This app is ______ learning English vocabulary.
I am saving money ______ buy a house.
We are having a meeting ______ discuss the project details.

Answers to Practice Exercises

I am going to the supermarket to buy some milk.
She is learning Spanish so that she can travel to South America next year.
We need to leave early in order not to miss the traffic. (or so as not to miss the traffic)
He exercises every day to stay fit and healthy. (or in order to stay fit and healthy)
Take a map in case you get lost.
The company is investing in new technology with the aim of improving productivity.
They whispered so as not to wake the baby. (or in order not to wake the baby)
This app is for learning English vocabulary.
I am saving money to buy a house. (or in order to buy a house)
We are having a meeting to discuss the project details. (or in order to discuss the project details)

Practice Stating Purpose in Speaking with Lingofrnd

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Conclusion

Congratulations on completing this lesson on stating purpose in English! You’ve learned several key structures to express your intentions clearly and effectively. Keep practicing these structures in your daily conversations, and you’ll find your spoken English becoming more precise and confident. Remember to use Lingofrnd.com and the Download App to continue your English pronunciation tips and spoken English practice journey. Happy learning!