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 nounCAN 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 youCANNOT 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!
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 nounCAN 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 youCANNOT 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!
