Unit 54 · -ing and to …
I went to the shop to ...
Study
Paula wanted a newspaper, so she went to the shop.
Why did she go to the shop?
To get a newspaper.
She went to the shop to get a newspaper.
to ... (to get / to see etc.) tells us why a person does something:
'Why are you going out?' 'To buy some food.'
Catherine went to the station to meet her friend.
Sue turned on the television to watch the news.
I'd like to go to Spain to learn Spanish.
money/time to (do something):
We need some money to buy food.
I haven't got time to watch television.
to ... and for ...
to + verb (to get / to see etc.)
I went to the shop to get a newspaper.
(not for get)
They're going to Brazil to see their friends.
We need some money to buy food.
for + noun (for a newspaper / for food etc.)
I went to the shop for a newspaper.
They're going to Brazil for a holiday.
We need some money for food.
wait for ...:
Please wait for me.
Are you waiting for the bus?
wait to (do something):
Hurry up! I'm waiting to go.
Are you waiting to see the doctor?
wait for (somebody/something) to ...:
The lights are red. You have to wait for them to change.
Are you waiting for the doctor to come?
They're waiting for the lights to change.
Exercises (5)
Write sentences beginning I went to .... Choose from the boxes.
- 1I went to the station to get a train ticket. example
- 2I went
- 3
- 4
Complete the sentences. Choose from the box.
- 1I turned on the TV .example
- 2Alice sat down in an armchair .
- 3Do I need a key .
- 4I went for a walk by the river .
- 5I knocked on the door of David's room .
- 6The doorbell rang, so I looked out of the window .
Use your own ideas to finish these sentences. Use to . . . .
- 1I went to the shop .example
- 2I'm very busy. I don't have time .
- 3I called Amy .
- 4I'm going out .
- 5I borrowed some money .
Write to or for.
- 1I went out get some bread.example
- 2We went to a restaurant have dinner.
- 3Robert wants to go to university study economics.
- 4I'm going to London an interview next week.
- 5I'm going to London visit some friends of mine.
- 6Do you have time a cup of coffee?
- 7I got up late this morning. I didn't have time wash.
- 8Everybody needs money live.
- 9We didn't have any money a taxi, so we walked home.
- 10The office is very small. There's space only a desk and chair.
- 11a: Excuse me, are you waiting {} be served?a: Excuse me, are you waiting be served?
- 12b: No, I'm already being served, thanks.b: No, I'm already being served, thanks.
Complete these sentences. Choose from:
- 1We stopped at the lights and waited .example
- 2I sat down in the cinema and waited .
- 3We called an ambulance and waited .
- 4'Do you know what to do?' 'No, I'm waiting .'