Expressing Purpose in English: Complete B1–C1 Guide

Hello, English learners! Welcome to a new lesson. Today, we are going to look at the most useful words, phrases and structures for expressing purpose in English.

When we express purpose, we explain why someone does something.

For example:

• She went to the library to study.
• He saved money so that he could buy a car.
• They launched a campaign with the aim of reducing plastic waste.

Being able to express purpose clearly is very useful in English. It helps you sound more logical in speaking, more organised in writing, and more natural in exams such as B2 First and C1 Advanced.

In this lesson, we will start with simple everyday structures and then move towards more formal and academic expressions.

To + infinitive

The most common way to express purpose in English is with to + infinitive. We use this structure to explain why someone does something.

• The doctor examined him to check his lungs.
• The shops are brightly coloured to attract customers.

This structure is simple, natural and very common in everyday English.

Compare:

I went to the kitchen. Why? To make coffee.

She joined the course. Why? To improve her English.

In order to + infinitive

In order to has a similar meaning to to, but it is a little more formal. It is often used in writing, especially in essays, reports and formal explanations.

• Tonia skipped breakfast in order to catch the train.
• Many people do yoga in order to reduce stress.

So as to + infinitive

So as to is another formal way of expressing purpose. It is less common in everyday conversation, but it is useful in formal writing.

• He spoke quietly so as not to wake the baby.
• The meeting was postponed so as to give everyone more time to prepare.

This structure is especially useful when the purpose is connected to avoiding a problem.

Negative purpose: in order not to / so as not to

When we want to say that someone does something because they want to avoid another action or result, we can use:

in order not to + infinitive

so as not to + infinitive

• He whispered so as not to wake the children.
• She wrote everything down in order not to forget the details.

In everyday English, people often say:

I wrote it down so I wouldn’t forget. But in formal writing, so as not to and in order not to are very useful.

So that + subject + verb

We use so that when the purpose includes a subject and a verb. Very often, it is followed by modal verbs such as can, could, will, would, won’t or wouldn’t.

Structure:

so that + subject + can/could/will/would + verb

• I reorganised my files so that I could find everything more easily.
• Peter went to bed early so that he wouldn’t miss his flight.

Use so that when you want to show the result someone wants to make possible.

Compare:

• She opened the window to get some fresh air.

This focuses on her action.

• She opened the window so that the room would feel fresher.

This focuses more on the result.

For + noun

We can use for + noun to talk about purpose, especially when we say what something is intended for or what someone wants.

• I went to the shop for some bread.
• They stopped at a café for a drink.

This structure is common in everyday English.

Be careful:

I went to the shop for buying bread. ❌

I went to the shop to buy bread. ✅

I went to the shop for some bread. ✅

Use to + infinitive for an action.

Use for + noun for a thing, activity or reason.

For + -ing

We use for + -ing mainly to describe the function or use of something. It often answers the question: What is it used for?

• This knife is used for cutting bread.
• A thermometer is used for measuring temperature.

This structure is about the purpose of an object, tool, room or machine.

Be careful:

I went to the library for studying. ❌

I went to the library to study. ✅

When you explain why a person does something, use to + infinitive.

When you explain what something is used for, use for + -ing.

In case

In case is connected to purpose, but it has a special meaning. We use it when we do something because something possible might happen.

It means: because this may be needed later.

• Take an umbrella in case it rains.
• I’ll save the file again in case the computer crashes.

Notice the difference:

• Take an umbrella because it is raining.

It is raining now.

• Take an umbrella in case it rains.

It may rain later.

We can also use in case of + noun.

• Call this number in case of emergency.

In the hope of

We use in the hope of + -ing when someone does something because they hope to achieve a result.

• He applied for the job in the hope of getting a promotion.
• She invested the money in the hope of making a profit.

This phrase is useful in formal and semi-formal writing.

You can also say:

in the hope that + subject + verb

• She contacted the company in the hope that they would offer her an interview.

In an attempt to

We use in an attempt to when someone tries to do something, especially when the result is uncertain.

• She changed her diet in an attempt to improve her health.
• The council introduced new rules in an attempt to reduce traffic congestion.

This phrase is very useful in essays, reports, articles and formal writing.

In an effort to

A more natural phrase than in the effort to is usually in an effort to. It means that someone tries hard to achieve something.

• They worked together in an effort to solve the problem.
• The charity organised an event in an effort to raise awareness.

This is a strong expression for formal and neutral writing.

In a bid to

In a bid to means in an attempt to. It is often used in journalism, business English and formal writing.

• The company changed its image in a bid to attract younger customers.
• The government introduced new measures in a bid to reduce unemployment.

It sounds natural in articles and reports.

With the aim of / with the objective of / with the goal of

These expressions are excellent for formal writing, especially essays, reports and proposals.

They are followed by -ing.

• She moved to London with the aim of finding a better job.
• The course was designed with the objective of helping students improve their academic writing.

These phrases are very useful for Cambridge writing tasks.

With the intention of

With the intention of means that someone plans to do something.

• He went to Brazil with the intention of seeing the carnival.
• She joined the course with the intention of improving her speaking skills.

You can also use:

intend to + infinitive

• She intends to apply for a scholarship next year.

With the desire to / with the aspiration to

These phrases are more emotional or ambitious. They are often used when someone has a strong wish or long-term dream.

• She started writing with the desire to express her creativity.
• Many young people study hard with the aspiration to enter a top university.

With the aspiration to sounds quite formal and is best used for serious goals or ambitions.

In pursuit of / in the quest for

These expressions are formal and often more literary. They suggest a long or serious search for something important.

In pursuit of is followed by a noun.

In the quest for is also followed by a noun.

• She dedicated her life to science in pursuit of knowledge.
• They travelled across the country in the quest for freedom.

These expressions are powerful, but they should not be overused in everyday English.

For the sake of

We use for the sake of when something is done to help, protect or benefit someone or something.

• They stayed together for the sake of the children.
• We must protect the environment for the sake of future generations.

This phrase often has an emotional or moral meaning.

For the benefit of

For the benefit of means that something is done to help a person or group.

• The money was donated for the benefit of the homeless.
• The rules were explained again for the benefit of new students.

This is useful in formal and semi-formal writing.

In the interest of

In the interest of means that something is done because it is helpful, sensible or necessary for a particular reason.

• The policy was introduced in the interest of public safety.
• The match was cancelled in the interest of fairness.

This phrase is common in official and formal contexts.

For the purpose of / for the express purpose of

For the purpose of is very formal. It is often used in official writing, reports, rules and legal or business contexts.

• The team was created for the purpose of improving customer service.

For the express purpose of is even stronger. It emphasises the exact and specific reason for an action.

• She went there for the express purpose of meeting the manager.

This expression is quite emphatic, so use it carefully.

Expressing Purpose in English: Quick style guide

Here is a simple guide to help you choose the right expression.

Everyday English:

• to
• so that
• for + noun
• in case

Neutral or semi-formal English:

• in order to
• so as to
• in the hope of
• in an attempt to
• in an effort to

Formal or academic English:

• with the aim of
• with the objective of
• with the goal of
• for the purpose of
• in the interest of
• for the benefit of

Very formal or emphatic English:

• for the express purpose of
• in pursuit of
• in the quest for

Common Mistakes When Expressing Purpose in English

1. Using “for + -ing” instead of “to + infinitive”

I went to the shop for buying milk. ❌

I went to the shop to buy milk. ✅

Use to + infinitive when you explain why a person does something.

2. Forgetting the subject after “so that”

I studied hard so that pass the exam. ❌

I studied hard so that I could pass the exam. ✅

After so that, we usually need a subject and a verb.

3. Using “in case” like “if”

• Call me in case you need help.

This means: call me because you might need help later. It sounds a little unnatural in many situations.

Better:

• Call me if you need help. ✅
• Take my number in case you need help. ✅

Use in case for preparation before a possible situation.

Download Expressing Purpose in English Practice Worksheet in PDF here

Final thought

Expressing purpose in English helps you explain your ideas clearly and logically. It allows you to show not only what happened, but also why it happened.

For everyday English, simple structures like to, so that and in case are often enough. For more advanced writing, especially in B2 First and C1 Advanced, expressions such as with the aim of, in an attempt to, in the interest of and for the purpose of can make your English sound more mature, precise and confident.

After all, English becomes much easier when you know not only what you are doing, but also why you are doing it.

Related posts:

Linking Words and Phrases 

Words and Phrases for Conclusion 

Prepositional Phrases for Formal Writing 

Making Generalisations in English: Useful Phrases and Examples

How to Write a C1 Advanced Essay 

How to Write an Essay for B2 First (FCE) 

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FAQ: Expressing Purpose in English

What does expressing purpose mean in English?

Expressing purpose means explaining why someone does something. For example, in the sentence She went to the library to study, the phrase to study explains the purpose of the action.

What is the most common way to express purpose in English?

The most common way is to + infinitive. For example: I called her to ask a question or He went outside to get some fresh air.

What is the difference between “to” and “so that”?

We use to + infinitive when the purpose is simple: She studied hard to pass the exam. We use so that + subject + verb when we want to include another subject or result: She studied hard so that she could pass the exam.

Is “in order to” formal?

Yes, in order to is more formal than to. It is common in essays, reports and formal explanations.

Can I use “in case” to express purpose?

Yes, but in case has a special meaning. It means you do something because something might happen later. For example: Take an umbrella in case it rains.