This lesson will focus on describing purpose using a variety of expressions. The topic we will discuss today is future goals.
There are many situations in which we have to describe the purpose of an action or decision. This lesson will help you to do this effectively.
The topic of this lesson is not strictly defined. The lesson deals with goals; those of the student and other agents.
If you could invent something new, what would you invent? Why?
The most important aspect of this question is the Why? at the end. Try to get students to explain the purpose of the invention they have chosen. They are most likely to express this using structures such as (in order) to and so as to or reasons beginning with because. This is good because a) they understand the concept of purpose, and b) because you can praise them and then introduce the super magic phrases that are to follow!
Please consider each transition phrase. Your instructor has an example and a question regarding each one. Remember, the goal is to smoothly use the transition phrase, not to give a long answer.
1. [Full sentence], in the hope that (or in hopes that) [full sentence]. — A hope or something you want to happen.
2. [Full sentence], for the purpose of [verb-ing + noun]. — In order to.
3. [Full sentence]. To this/that end, [full sentence]. — In order to achieve this goal.
4. [Full sentence]. With this in mind [full sentence]. — Hoping to achieve this goal.
5. [Full sentence], in case [full sentence]. — Because of a possibility of something happening; seems neutral or negative. *Note: Use a present tense after "in case". Do not use will.
6. [Full sentence] for fear that [full sentence]. — To avoid the risk of something happening.
These phrases are more sophisticated than the more common ways of expressing purpose, such as in order to and so as to. It might be necessary to spend time providing further examples to ensure that students have fully understood the meaning and use of each phrase. This is especially true for numbers 5 and 6.
In the Language section, the term [full sentence] is used for the students' sake, but [sentence clause] would be more accurate. It means part of a complex sentence that can be a full sentence. E.g, "I want to be healthier, so I'm eating salad" has two sentence clauses: I want to be healthier, and I'm eating salad.
1. In the hope that (or in hopes that) — the second sentence clause is often conditional, using would or could.
E.g.: Most politicians claim that they entered politics in the hope that they could make important changes.
Practice (add target phrase): He studied engineering because he wanted to get a good job.
Question: Why did you choose to join your present company?
2. For the purpose of
E.g.: I studied IT at university for the purpose of becoming a computer programmer.
Practice (add target phrase): She started doing yoga to get in better shape.
Question: If you had a one-year sabbatical, what would you do?
3. To this/that end
E.g.: It’s important for most people to gain experience. To that end, they join companies that will offer them the chance to work in different fields.
Practice (add target phrase): The company aims to succeed overseas, so they hired a consulting firm.
Question: What is your future dream or goal and how are you working towards achieving it?
4. With this in mind
E.g.: Many professionals need to adopt a better work-life balance. With this in mind, some corporations now allow employees to work flexible hours.
Practice (add target phrase): I'd like to become better at writing, so I've enrolled in a writing course.
Question: What law would you pass if you could?
5. In case
Note: Point out that we use the present tense after "in case". We don't use "will". It's a common mistake for language learners to say something like, "I always take an umbrella with me in case it will rain." This should be, "I always take an umbrella with me in case it rains."
E.g.: It is not wise to invest all your money in only one company in case stock prices fall.
Practice (add target phrase): It's a good idea to carry a face mask with you so you can wear it if someone near you is sick.
Question: What should we do to protect historic sites?
6. For fear that
E.g.: Many people are unwilling to speak in meetings for fear that they will be criticized by their colleagues.
Practice (add target phrase): Some people avoid joining small companies because they may fail. Big companies, on the other hand, are stable.
Question: What are the disadvantages of start-up companies?
Now that you've had some practice using these phrases, try to answer some more questions. Use as many of the above phrases as you can.