Clauses of Purpose : to / for / so that

a. To / in order to / so as to
We use to + infinitive to say why somebody does something (= the purpose of an
action) :
e.g. : `Why are you going out? `To post a letter.
A friend of mine phoned to invite me to a party.
I went to Paris to learn French.
In formal English we use in order to or so as to.
e.g. : We got up early so as to have plenty of time.
I went to Paris in order to learn French.
In negative sentences we usually use in order not to or so as not to (we dont use
not to)
e.g. : We got up early so as not to be late or
We got up early in order not to be late.
but we dont say:
We got up early not to be late.
b. For
We use for + a noun to talk about the purpose of someone.
e.g. : Lets go to the pool for a swim.
We went to a restaurant for lunch.
What would you like for dinner?

 We use for + -ing to talk about the general purpose of something , or what it is
generally used for.
e.g. : A thermometer is used for measuring temperature.
We use this knife for cutting bread.
c. So that
We also use so that for purpose.
When the purpose is negative (so that wont = present / wouldnt = past)
e.g. : Well leave early so that we wont arrive late.
Saldremos temprano para no llegar tarde.
Paul has phoned his parents so that they wont get worried.
Pablo ha llamado por telefono a sus padres para que no se preocupen.
I hurried so that I wouldnt be late.
Me apresur para no llegar tarde.
I hurried so that my teacher wouldnt get angry with me.
Me apresur para que mi profesor no se enfadara conmigo.
When the purpose is affirmative (so that can = present and could = past.)
e.g. : Ill give you a key so that you can unlock the door.
Te dar una llave para que puedas abrir la puerta.
I gave you a key so that you could unlock the door.
Te d una llave para que pudieras abrir la puerta.

 We can also use so that to answer a Why question.

e.g. Why did you bring a blanket?
I brought a blanket so that the kids could keep warm.
or I brought a blanket because I wanted the kids to keep warm.
or I brought a blanket so that the kids wouldnt get cold.
or I brought a blanket because I didnt want the kids to get cold.
or I brought a blanket to *prevent the kids from getting cold.

*to prevent someone from doing something = impedir que alguien haga algo
e.g. : He came back home early to prevent his parents from getting upset.