There are 5 ways to state reasons or purpose.

The 1st way is with because, which can go in the middle or at the beginning of the sentence.  However, because is most often used in the middle of the sentence.

Examples:
We’re going to the store because we need some milk.
ALSO:  Because we need some milk, we’re going to the store.  (less often used)

The police searched his home because they wanted to find the murder weapon.
ALSO:  Because the police wanted to find the murder weapon, they searched his home.  (less often used)

I read late into the night because I wanted to finish the book.
ALSO:  Because I wanted to finish the book, I read late into the night.  (less often used)

Another way to use because is with the preposition of.  After these words you can only use a noun object, not a subject and verb.  Because of can be used at the beginning or in the middle of a sentence.

Examples:
Because of the rain, they had to cancel the game.
ALSO:  They had to cancel the game because of the rain.

Because of cheating on his exam, Johnny was suspended from school.
ALSO:  Johnny was suspended from school because of cheating on his exam.

NOTE:  If the noun object of the preposition (of) is a verb, it must be in the gerund (noun) form (cheating.)

Because of the noise next door, I wasn’t able to study.
ALSO:  I wasn’t able to study because of the noise next door.

The 2nd way is with since, which also can go in the middle or at the beginning.  However, since is most often used at the beginning of the sentence.

Examples:
Since we need some more milk, we’re going to the store.
ALSO:  We’re going to the store since we need some milk.  (less often used)

Since the police wanted to find the murder weapon, they searched his home.
ALSO:  The police searched his home since they wanted to find the murder weapon.  (less often used)

Since I wanted to challenge myself, I went bungee jumping.
ALSO: I went bungee jumping since I wanted to challenge myself.  (less often used)

The 3rd way is with so that, which must be followed by one of the modals: can, could, may, might, will, would, must or have to.  The word that can be dropped.

Examples:
We’re going to the store so that we can get some milk.
We’re going to the store so we can get some milk.

The police searched his home so that they could find the murder weapon.
The police searched his home so they could find the murder weapon.

I went bungee jumping so that I would challenge myself.
I went bungee jumping so I would challenge myself.

The 4th way is with for, which must be followed by a noun.

Examples:
We’re going to the store for some milk.

The police searched his home for the murder weapon.

I went bungee jumping for the personal challenge.

The 5th way is with to, which must be followed by a verb (the infinitive.)

Examples:
We’re going to the store to get some milk.

The police searched is home to find the murder weapon.

I went bungee jumping to challenge myself.

Study this page and when you think you’re ready, do the following exercise.

© 2013 Ambien Malecot