Lesson focus: To Infinitive
Writing informal letters

To - infinitive

Look at these examples of the to-infinitive in the text you have just read:
Examples: ... is opening more than 100 new restaurants to convert pizza-lovers to its
burgers.
This is our way to show we believe ...
... which strives to preserve traditional ...

1 The to-infinitive is found in various sentence constructions. Look at these four common uses:

a. To indicate the purpose of something (to has the same meaning as so as to, in order to), for example, She came to see the doctor.

b. After some verbs (advise, ask, encourage, invite, order, persuade, remind, tell, warn, expect, intend, would prefer, want, would like) which are followed by a direct object, for example, They would like you to make a speech.

c. Following a noun or pronoun, to indicate what something can or will be used for, for
example: I'd like a sandwich to take to school.

d After certain verbs (ask, decide, explain, forget, know, show, tell, understand) followed by question words, for example, She asked me where to sit.

Now decide which of the sentences 1-8 matches each of the four common uses of the to-infinitive. There are two examples for each use.

1. He told me to ask you.
2. I can't remember where to put this.
3. I don't have anything to wear.
4. I'm writing to ask you a favour.
5. Tell me how to switch on the machine.
6. Would you like something to drink?
7. They ordered all the students to leave the building.
8. Your sister has gone to finish her homework.

Reorder the jumbled words in a-fto make sentences which include the to-infinitive.

a. appears she hurt to head her have
b. 150 instructions my write are to words
c. immediately we to need leave d like eat to would anything you?
e. to calling father your l’m out find about
f. him he with asked come me to not

Match the sentence halves (a-g) with (1-7).

a. The McDonald's Italian arm plans ...
b. The group still has a cultural hurdle ...
c. Milan city council forced McDonald's ...
d. When the timer goes off, we're ! supposed ...
e. If you want...
f. That forces us ...
g. Look around ..
1. to clear in Italy.
2. to close its restaurant in the Galleria.
3. to cook you a new batch.
4. to make sure your fries come right out...
5. to see how much rubbish there is.
6. to spend €350 million.
7. to throw out the food.

Complete these sentence halves using your own words. You should use a to-infinitive in each one.

a. He arrived too late ...
b. Your brother has gone ...
c. Do you understand where ... ?
d. l'd like you …
e. The students need a library ...

Writing: Informal letters

1 You are going to write a letter to a friend about a fast-food restaurant you have recently visited. Before you start writing, think about the following. It might help if you concentrate on restaurants that you already know.
a. What is your opinion about fast food taking over from more traditional food?
b. What are the advantages and disadvantages of each type of food?
c. What about the places where you can buy fast food and traditional food? Is one type of place better than another? Why?

Now copy and complete the table below, listing the advantages and disadvantages of
fast-food and traditional restaurants.

Fast food restaurants
Traditional restaurants
Advantages
Disadvantages
Advantages
Disadvantages
Quick service

More expensive

Look at the exam-style question below and complete the gaps with explain, describe, write, say Do not write the letter yet.

a)
b)
c)
d)

Look at the two letters written by two students in response to the question in exam style question. Decide which of the two letters - A or B - is better. Give your reasons. Think about:
the language (the vocabulary and structures)
the information (the ideas) contained in the letter.

Which letter, A or B:
a. uses correct opening and closing phrases?
b. does not have any paragraph breaks?
c. responds to each of the three question prompts?
d. contains a lot of spelling mistakes?
e. includes information that is not relevant?

How would you improve Felipe’s letter? Write a few points.