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Intermediate English Grammar (B1) Lesson 22 of 25

Infinitives of Purpose

Read and listen to four conversations using the grammar.

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Conversation 1

Woman: I love this break room. It’s a great place to work.
Man: Yes, It’s a nice environment to relax and clear your head.
Woman: I love the view, too. It’s a nice distraction to break the tension of work.
Man: I wish the whole office was like this, really.
Woman: I wouldn’t go that far. I still like the privacy of my own office.
Man: Well, I don’t need an office to be productive. I can work from anywhere.
Woman: Not me. I need a room to be by myself sometimes.
Man: Yeah, I think most people feel the same way.

Conversation 2

Woman: Hello, can I help you?
Man: Yes. I’d like to get something for my wife for her birthday.
Woman: Alright. What did you have in mind?
Man: She said she wants a dress to wear for social occasions.
Woman: Well, what about this one? It’s a nice dress to wear for all occasions.
Man: I think this would look good on her. I guess this will do.
Woman: Would you like these shoes and this bag to go with it?
Man: No, thanks. Just the dress will do. Do you have a box to wrap it in?
Woman: We do. Let me take care of you at the register.

Conversation 3

Man: Hello. Can I ask you some questions about this computer?
Woman: Sure. I’d be glad to help.
Man: Does it have a webcam to hold online meetings?
Woman: No, it doesn’t, but it has a slot to connect to a camera.
Man: OK, does it have a good graphics card to play video games?
Woman: Not this model, but we have another computer that does. It also has a webcam.
Man: Great! Can I see it?
Woman: Yes, it’s right over here.

Conversation 4

Woman: I love your new car. It’s much nicer than your last one.
Man: Thanks. I needed a new one to do my job.
Woman: I see it has a navigation system.
Man: Yes, it’s very useful. I need it to help me find locations around town. My clients are scattered all over the city.
Woman: Was it expensive? It looks like it costs a lot.
Man: It was. I needed a loan to pay for it, but since I work in sales, it was worth the money.
Woman: Well, as they say, it takes money to make money.
Man: That is the truth. You can’t argue with that.

Infintives of Purpose

Point 1: An infintive of purpose describles the "purpose" of a noun.
  1. I have an old guitar to play at parties.
  2. I have lots of tools to do odd jobs.
  3. We need to save money to buy a new car.
  4. We have a dog to protect our house.
Point 2 : Infinitives of purpose appear after a noun.
  1. I bought a car to get to work.
  2. I need a box to carry these upstairs.
  3. I have a thick jacket to wear on cold days.
  4. You need a key to open the door.
Point 3 : The "to" in the verb is heavily reduced.
  1. I bought a car /tə/ get to work.
  2. I need a box /tə/ carry these.
  3. I have a thick jacket /tə/ wear on cold days.
  4. We need a key /tə/ open the door.
Point 4 : There are some idioms using this infinitives of purpose.
  1. It takes money to make money.
  2. Everyone needs a shoulder to cry on.
  3. He has money to burn.
  4. You don't have the guts to do it.
Answer these questions about the interview.
More Grammar Conversations for Intermediate Students (B1)

Grammar Listening Practice


1247 Work from Abroad
B1-21 Should - Assumptions
Just turn right and you should see it.

1247 Work from Abroad
B1-22 Infintives of Purpose
I need a bike to ride to school.

1247 Work from Abroad
B1-23 Adjectives with Infinitives
I am happy to see you!

1247 Work from Abroad
B1-24 Indirect Questions
Do you know when we start?

1247 Work from Abroad
B1-25 Phrasal Verbs
Yes, I just backed it up on our remote server.

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