Purpose and Process

Purpose
• why something is done
• for what reason something is done
• ‘purpose’: why you do something or why
something exists
The purpose of the research is to find out more
about the causes of the disease.

• ‘function’: the natural purpose (of something) or

the duty (of a person)
The function of the veins is to carry blood to the
heart.

• ‘use’: a purpose for which something is used

A food processor has a variety of uses in the kitchen.
 Purpose, function or use
• The [ ] of a hammer is to hit nails into wood.
• Don’t throw that cloth away. You will find a [ ]
for it one day.
• The [ ] of the interviews is to hire a new
employee.
• The [ ] of the new hotel is to attract more
tourists.
• The [ ] of a bridge is to provide access over
water.
 ‘Your aim is to reach level B2 in English by the end of
your third year.’
The government’s target is to reduce unemployment [
] 35% [ ] 2020.
Verbs
• to function
to work or operate:
‘The television was functioning normally until yesterday.’

• to function as something
the perform the purpose of a particular thing or the
duties of a particular person:
‘We have a spare bedroom that also functions as a
study.’
‘This crate can function as a chair.’
Verbs
• to operate
if machinery operates, it works and does what it is intended to
do
‘The ventilation system was not operating correctly’
to use and control a piece of equipment
‘You should not operate machinery after taking this
medication.’

• to operate as something
to have a particular purpose
‘The car’s service manual is designed to operate as a guide for
owners.’
Verbs
• to provide
to give someone something they need; to make available; to
supply
‘The boss provided uniforms for the employees.’
‘This guidebook provides useful information about the region.’

• to supply
to provide something that is wanted or needed
‘Electrical power is supplied by underground cables.’
‘We supply office materials.’
(‘supply and demand’)
 Verbs

‘to’ is used before a verb

‘These measures are designed to reduce pollution.’

‘for’ is used before a noun (or verbal nouns, often ending

in ‘-ing’)
‘Computers were designed for processing massive amounts
of data.’
A new system was devised for underwater exploration.’
To make or draw plans for a certain purpose. It refers to the
elaboration of the new concept, in contrast to its production.

‘The car was designed in Italy and made in Brazil.’

Similar meaning to ‘design’. However, the word insists on the

complexity of the process or the difficulty that is overcome
(using intelligence / imagination).

‘The company has devised a computer programme that allows

people to design their own homes.’
Design or devise?

• He [ ] a very simply little country house.

• The umbrella was [ ] to fold up into your

pocket.
Other expressions

• In order to / so as to = ‘to’

• So that

‘The umbrella was designed to protect

people from the rain.’

‘The umbrella was designed so that...’

‘so that’ + subject + verb
 Process Electricity is supplied by
means of underground
• By means of cables.

Dioxins get into mothers'

• Through
milk through
contaminated food
• Thanks to

• Via
• Thus He switched off the
computer, thereby...
• Thereby (lose all the data)

• Therefore

‘in this way’

 Verbs
to enable It is the carbon compounds that
are responsible for the chemical
reactions that enable / make it
to make it
possible for the cell to grow.
possible to

Visibility was poor – the to allow

plane was not allowed /
permitted to land.
to permit
Passive Voice

The umbrella was devised to fold up into your

pocket.
• The boss asked his employees to
Mr X will design a machine... work harder.
• My company is building a
Mr X had designed a machine... bridge.
• The architect designed a new
Mr X is designing a machine... building.
• In the future, the company will
Mr X was designing a machine...
design robots.
• The university provides free
books.
The Self-Operating Napkin

Rube Goldberg