Mastering English Grammar: Prepositions, Purpose, and Comparisons

Using "To" for Purpose and More

We use "to" to express the purpose of an action:

• I phoned the restaurant to reserve a table.

Common phrases where "to" indicates purpose or suitability:

• A place to park
• Something to eat
• Work to do

Example: Would you like something to eat? (meaning: something that you can eat)

"To" is also used with nouns like money, time (e.g., days), opportunity, energy, and courage:

• I need a few days to think about your proposal.

Understanding "For" in English Grammar

We use "for" + noun:

• We stopped for petrol.

Contrast this with "to" + verb:

• We stopped to get petrol.

You can also use "for somebody to do something":

• There wasn't any chair for us to sit on.

For general purpose or general use, we use "for" + gerund (-ing):

• I use this for washing.

For a specific purpose, we use "to" + infinitive:

• I use this brush to wash.

Important: We cannot use "for + -ing" to state why someone does something. Instead, use "to + infinitive":

• I went into the kitchen to wash the dishes. (NOT: for washing the dishes)

To ask about purpose, use "What... for?":

• What do you do that for?

Using "So That" for Purpose and Result

When the purpose is negative (meaning "so that... won't/wouldn't"):

• I hurried so that I wouldn't be late. (meaning: because I didn't want to be late)

"So that" is commonly used with can and could:

• She's learning English so that she can study in Canada.

Mastering Prepositions of Time: At, On, In

Using "At" for Specific Times

• At 5 o'clock
• At 11
• At midnight
• At lunchtime
• At night
• At the weekend
• At Christmas
• At the moment
• At the same time
• At the age of

Using "On" for Days and Dates

• On 12 March
• On Friday
• On Christmas Day
• On Friday morning

Using "In" for Longer Periods

• In April
• In the 18^th century
• In 1987
• In winter

Specific Phrases with "In"

• In the morning
• In the afternoon
• In the evening

"In" for Future Timeframes

"In + a period of time" can refer to a time in the future:

• They are getting married in three months.

"In" for Duration of Completion

We also use "in" to state how long it takes to complete something:

• I learned to drive in six weeks.

Comparisons with "As...As" and "Less...Than"

We use "as... as" to compare two things that are equal or unequal:

• Jack isn't as old as he looks. (= he looks older than he is)
• Lisa didn't do as well in the exam as she had hoped. (= she had hoped to do better)
• I don't know as many people as you do.
• How much did it cost? Fifty pounds? No, not as much as that.

Using "Less...Than"

You can also use "less... than" as an alternative to negative "as...as":

• I spent less money than you. (= I didn't spend as much money as you)

"As...As" in Positive Sentences and Questions

We also use "as... as" in positive sentences and questions, often with adverbs:

• Can you send me an email as soon as possible?

"The Same As"

We use the phrase "the same as" to indicate identity or similarity:

• Laura's salary is the same as mine.

Common Adjective and Verb Preposition Combinations

Key Prepositional Phrases

• Sorry ABOUT + noun. (Used when you feel regret or sympathy for something that you didn't cause.)
• Sorry FOR + verb (-ing). (Used when you apologize for something you did.)
• Impressed BY/WITH
• Famous FOR
• Responsible FOR
• Different FROM/TO
• Interested IN
• Capable OF
• Fond OF
• Full OF
• Short OF
• Tired OF
• Keen ON
• Similar TO
• Crowded WITH