Mastering Adverbials of Purpose (Misplaced Words) is essential for improving your English syntax and avoiding awkward sentence structures. In English grammar, an adverbial of purpose is an infinitive phrase that acts like an adverb to express the objective or reason behind an action, and placing it correctly prevents grammatical errors.
What is an Adverbial of Purpose?
An adverbial of purpose is typically formed using an infinitive phrase (to + verb) that answers the question "Why?" regarding the action of the main verb. According to standard English sentence structure and syntax rules, these adverbial phrases usually belong at the end of a sentence—specifically right after the finite verb or object they modify—rather than at the beginning.
Placing these phrases at the front of a sentence can often result in a misplaced modifier, making the sentence sound unnatural or confusing. For a deeper understanding of how sentence placement impacts meaning, you can also review our detailed guide on Clause of Purpose (Misplaced Words) for advanced sentence construction techniques.
How to Correctly Position Adverbials of Purpose
To ensure your writing is clear and grammatically correct, always place your infinitive phrases of purpose in the proper position within the sentence.
Correct vs. Incorrect Placement Examples
Compare the following examples to see how correct placement prevents awkward phrasing:
| Grammatical Status | Example Sentence | Key Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| Right | Man eats to live. | Infinitive phrase follows the finite verb. |
| Wrong | To live man eats. | Misplaced modifier at the beginning. |
| Right | I am not here to stay. | Purpose is clearly stated at the end. |
| Wrong | To stay I am not here.un | Awkward front-placement of the infinitive. |
Key Takeaways
- An adverbial of purpose uses an infinitive phrase to explain the reason behind an action.
- Standard English grammar rules require these phrases to be placed after the finite verb or sentence object.
- Placing purpose infinitives at the start of a sentence creates misplaced modifiers and unnatural syntax.
Quick Practice
Test your understanding of English grammar rules by answering the following questions in the comments below:
- Which is correct: "She studied hard to pass the exam" or "To pass the exam she studied hard"? Explain why.
- Rewrite the following sentence to fix the misplaced word: "To win the race he ran as fast as possible."
Frequently Asked Questions
What is an adverbial of purpose in English grammar?
An adverbial of purpose is an infinitive phrase (such as "to live" or "to learn") that functions as an adverb, explaining the reason or objective of the action performed by the main verb.
Where should an infinitive of purpose be placed in a sentence?
According to standard English syntax rules, an infinitive of purpose should generally be placed at the end of the sentence, immediately following the finite verb or its object, to avoid misplaced modifier errors.