Let’s Talk About Why and For What!

Let’s Talk About Why and For What!

By Carla Martínez

Reason (because), Purpose (to / in order to) & Tag Questions

BECAUSE → Razón

[Resultado] + because + [Razón]

Estructura general:

Explicar por qué sucede algo.

Función:

El verbo va en el tiempo que corresponda según la idea. No cambia por usar because.

Regla sobre el verbo:

​I’m tired because I didn’t sleep well.
(Presente + pasado: el resultado es ahora, la razón fue antes.)

Example 1

She’s happy because it’s Friday.
(Presente + presente.)

Example 2

​They were sad because they lost the game.
(Pasado + pasado.)

Example 3

Importante

Because une dos ideas completas (sujeto + verbo).

Incorrecto: I’m happy because the weather.

Correcto: I’m happy because the weather is nice.

TO / IN ORDER TO → Propósito

 [Acción principal] + to / in order to + [verbo base]

Estructura general:

Explicar para qué haces algo (propósito o intención).

Función:

Después de to o in order to siempre va el verbo en su forma base (sin “-ing” ni tiempo verbal).

Regla sobre el verbo:

• I study hard to pass the exam.

• She goes to the gym to be healthy.

• He called me in order to ask for help.
  

Ejemplos afirmativos

• She studies every day to get good grades. (presente simple)

• They woke up early to see the sunrise. (pasado simple)

• He is studying to become a doctor. (presente continuo)

Ejemplos con tiempo verbal diferente

Formas negativas

Cuando el propósito es negativo (para no hacer algo), usamos: in order not to

Estructura: [Acción principal] + in order not to + [verbo base]

Ejemplos:

• He left early in order not to miss the bus.

• I closed the door in order not to disturb anyone.

Aunque en inglés informal a veces se dice “to not + verbo”, se prefiere usar las formas anteriores en un contexto más formal.

• Incorrecto (en escritura formal): I left early to not miss the bus.

• Correcto: I left early in order not to miss the bus.

TAG QUESTIONS → Confirmación o acuerdo

[Oración principal] + [Tag]

Estructura general:

Verificar o confirmar información.

Función:

Rules :)

El tiempo de la tag debe coincidir con el verbo principal.

• She is your teacher, isn’t she?

  (presente con be)

• You were late, weren’t you? (pasado con be)

• You study English, don’t you?

  (presente simple)

• He studied yesterday, didn’t he?

  (pasado simple)

Regla 2: Tiempo verbal

• Si la oración es positiva, la etiqueta (tag) es negativa.
  You are happy, aren’t you?

• Si la oración es negativa, la etiqueta es positiva.
  You aren’t tired, are you?

Regla 1: Positivo ↔ Negativo

Truco:
El auxiliar o el verbo be del enunciado se “copia” en la pregunta.
Si no hay auxiliar (como en “You like pizza”), se usa do/does/did según el tiempo.

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Happy teaching!

Multiple Choice

He’s not coming ______ he’s sick

• because

• to

• for

• in order to

Multiple Choice

You don’t like pizza, ______?

• do you

• don’t you

• did you

• are you

Multiple Choice

I study hard ______ pass the exam.

• because

• to

• for

Multiple Choice

“In order to” means

• to show purpose

• to show reason

• to show time

Multiple Choice

It’s cold today, ______?

• doesn’t it

• isn’t it

• wasn’t it

• is it

Multiple Choice

He woke up early ______ catch the bus.

• because

• to

• for

Multiple Choice

They left early ______ miss the movie.

• in order not to

• don’t

• because

Multiple Choice

Why do you go to school?

• Because I like to learn

• To learn

• To learning

Multiple Choice

“Because” is used to explain:

• Time

• Reason

• Place

• Purpose

Multiple Choice

You are a student, ______?

• do you

• aren’t you

• are you

• don’t you

Multiple Choice

He studied yesterday, ______?

• didn’t he

• did he

• doesn’t he

• wasn’t he

Multiple Choice

Why is she happy?

• Because she has a new phone

• To buy a new phone

• She happy because phone

Multiple Choice

Which sentence is correct?

• She called him in order to ask for help

• She called him to asking for help

• She called him in order ask help

• She called him for ask help