Gerunds - Stating Function, Purpose & Means

NAME OR SUBSTANCE	FUNCTION
When asked What is it? , we respond with the name or substance of the thing.	When asked What is it for? we respond with the function of the thing. A gerund clause is used after for.
What is it? It is a box cutter. It is string. It is postal tape.	What's it for? It is for opening boxes. It is for tying up boxes. It is for taping boxes.

NAME OR SUBSTANCE

FUNCTION

When asked What is it? , we respond with the name or substance of the thing.

When asked What is it for? we respond with the function of the thing. A gerund clause is used after for.

What is it?

     It is a box cutter.
     It is string.
     It is postal tape.

What's it for?

     It is for opening boxes.
     It is for tying up boxes.
     It is for taping boxes.

Related page By + Gerund

Education

ERROR	FIX
Why did you come here? I came here for getting a good education. I came here for to get a good education. *I came here for get a good education.	Why did you come here? I came here in order to get a good education. (purpose / reason) I came here to get a good education. (purpose / reason) What is an education for? It's for opening your mind. (function)

ERROR

FIX

Why did you come here?
*I came here for getting a good education.
*I came here for to get a good education.
*I came here for get a good education.

Why did you come here?
I came here in order to get a good education. (purpose / reason)
I came here to get a good education. (purpose / reason)

What is an education for?
It's for opening your mind. (function)

*Yellow highlighted words are examples of incorrect usage.
Pop-Q "Purpose"

FUNCTION - GERUND	PURPOSE OR INTENT - INFINITIVE
When we ask What is it for? we focus on the function of the thing. We use for followed by a noun or a gerund (which is also a noun.) The for-phrase is the complement of the	When we ask What do you use it for? we focus on the user.
What's it for? (focus on thing) A box cutter is for opening boxes. / It is for boxes. String is for tying up newspapers. / It is for newspapers. Postal tape is for taping packages. / It is for packages.	Why do you use it? (focus on person) I use it (in order) to open boxes. I use it (in order) to tie up newspapers. I use it (in order) to tape packages.

Related page In Order to

METHOD - BY + GERUND PHRASE	MEANS - WITH + NOUN PHRASE
We use by to indicate a method or means of doing something. By is followed with a gerund phrase.	We use with to indicate a method or means of doing something. With is followed by a noun phrase (a tool, implement, system, etc.).
How? (method) You can open it by using a boxcutter. You can open it by cutting the string. You can open it by tearing the end.	How? (means, tool, implement) You can open it with a boxcutter. You can open it with scissors. You can open it with a letter opener.

METHOD - BY + GERUND PHRASE

MEANS - WITH + NOUN PHRASE

We use by to indicate a method or means of doing something. By is followed with a gerund phrase.

We use with to indicate a method or means of doing something. With is followed by a noun phrase (a tool, implement, system, etc.).

How? (method)

     You can open it by using a boxcutter.
     You can open it by cutting the string.
     You can open it by tearing the end.

How? (means, tool, implement)

     You can open it with a boxcutter.
     You can open it with scissors.
     You can open it with a letter opener.

Related page By + Gerund

Select the word from each menu that best completes the sentence.
Compare your response to the answer by clicking the "check" button to the right.

#	YOUR RESPONSE	CHECK ANSWER
1.	What's this little gadget for? It's the number of footsteps you take and distance your travel while exercising. gadget - a small mechanical or electronic device
2.	How do you use a pedometer? You use it it onto your waistband.
3.	How do you measure how many steps you take while jogging? I do it .
4.	What is this device for? It is the on and off switch of a lamp.
5.	How do you turn your lamps on and off? I do it .
6.	How do you turn your lamps on and off at night while you're away on vacation? I do it each lamp into an automatic timer.
7.	What is that lock for? Its my things safely inside a gym locker.
8.	How do you keep your things safe while you're in the gym? I do it them in my lnside my locker.
9.	How do you secure your locker? I do it .
10.	What do you use Krazy glue for? I use it together things that have come apart .
11.	What's Krazy Glue for? It's chipped dishes.
12.	How do you fix chips on dishes? I do it Krazy glue on the pieces. Then I hold the pieces together until they stick..