English Teacher Melanie: Grammar – Gerunds and Infinitives for Purpose

Gerunds and infinitives are a part of English grammar that many English learners find challenging. Here, I explain a small but important area of gerunds and infinitives – using gerunds and infinitives to describe the purpose of someone and something, and when you can and can’t use for + gerund.

This is a hair dryer:

A hair dryer is for drying hair.
I use a hair dryer to dry my hair.~

Let’s review a basic English grammar rule:

*To + verb is called the infinitive. A gerund is a verb that acts like a noun. An –ing is added to the end of the verb to form a gerund. Most of the time, a gerund can be used as a noun in for + noun:

Thank you for coming to my party!
Thank you for the gift!

She has a reputation for getting things done!
The hotel has a reputation for poor quality service.

She is famous for singing the national anthem at the hockey game.
She is famous for her beautiful voice.~

Let’s focus now on using gerunds and infinitives to talk about someone’s / something’s purpose.

* When you describe the purpose of a thing, you can use for + noun, and the noun CAN be a gerund. You can use for + gerund (verb-ing):

What is a hair dryer for?
A hair dryer is for drying hair.

What is this program for?
This is a computer program for editing videos.

* When you talk about someone’s purpose, you can still use for + noun, BUT you CANNOT use for + gerund:

What do you use a hair dryer for?
I use a hair dryer to dry my hair.

Why did you go to the store?
I went to the store to buy some milk.

You can still use for + noun to talk about someone’s purpose, but the noun CANNOT be a gerund:

Why did you buy a box of chocolates?
I bought a box of chocolates for my husband.
I bought a box of chocolates to give my husband
NOT: I bought a box of chocolates for give my husband.
NOT: I bought a box of chocolates for giving my husband.

Why are you going to Toronto?
I’m going to Toronto to learn English
NOT: I’m going to Toronto for learn English.
NOT: I’m going to Toronto for learning English.What is this key for?This key is for opening the front door.
I use this key to open the front door.

Again, this is just a small part of how to use gerunds and infinitives in English. Remember, you cannot use for + gerund to talk about someone’s purpose. I know you probably have a lot of questions about using gerunds and infinitives in different situations, and I hope to address them in the future!

What this article helpful? Please let me know in the comments.