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Ace the TOEFL Essay (TWE)
We said earlier that an infinitive of reason is to + verb 1
(v1). All we did was take out the words in order. As a result,
what remains is to + v1. The first verb immediately after to
is almost always base form, referred to as v1. The infinitive
of reason can be repositioned in the sentence and continue to
function in the same capacity. Here again, this is the com-
mon denominator in most of the structures we have learned
so far. There always seems to be another possibility in the
positioning of a phrase or clause in the sentence. Note the
patterns that emerge below as we analyze the possibilities.
Syntactic positions: Initial = at the beginning of the sentence
Final = at the end of the IC.
Initial:
In order to learn, we study daily.
To learn, we study daily.
In order to be there on time, we must leave early.
To be there on time, we must leave early.
In order to study the material successfully, you must take organized notes.
To study the material successfully, you must take organized notes.
The first verb after the word to is the first form (v1) in all
of the sentences. This is true even if the verb is five words
after
to. If you include the first part of the phrase in order,
it is still necessary to use v1 after the word
to. We only omit
in order.
Final
I went to the store in order to shop.
I went to the store to shop

I practiced more to run the race.
To understand a person, you must try. (Can be moved to DO in final position)
One should read more to know his history.
I encouraged him more to benefit myself.
To win the race, we trained harder.
These are usually, but not always, interchangeable from
final to initial positions, and vice versa.
For: The Use of For as Reason: Syntactic Repositioning
Earlier, we viewed for in respect to use with a gerund functioning to sig-
nal reason in a sentence.
Pattern: IC = S–V + (optional) + For + Gerund
Ex: We are only here for learning.
I go there daily for relaxing.
He uses it for e
xercising.
T
HE
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RE
N
OTE
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THE
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RE
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Sample Essays
So = Cause/Effect: Syntactic Repositioning
For the most part, it is easy to view a sentence with the word so, if it con-
tains two different clauses, in terms of cause and effect.
Cause/so/Effect
The first clause is the cause, and the second clause is the effect.
I want to be trim, so I exercise every day.
I needed a haircut, so I went to the barber.
We should have been home at 8:00, so we’re leaving right now.
We were very tired, so we went to bed early.
Effect/so/Cause
It is possible to invert most of these structures with so, adding the word
because and replacing the modal. The second clause tells why the first
clause happened. The second clause, consequently, is the reason the first
clause took place.
We arrived extremely early, so we could surprise my friend.
I sought out the best teachers, so I could learn Arabic.
I called John, so he would bring my books.
We went to the sea, so we could relax.
Effect/Because/S–V
It is common to replace the so with the word because, which actually means
the cause is . . .
Sometimes, it’s mandatory to change the wording for the sentence to
be grammatical. Compare the sentence patterns with what we have dis-
cussed so far.
We arrived extremely early, because we wanted to surprise my friend.
We got our coats, because it became cold.
We were angry, because they were not nice.
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