Purpose of need or what else?

Guest · #1 (permalink) Fri Nov 18, 2005 9:45 am *Purpose of need or what else?*

Dear teacher,
Which sentence should I choose?
1. The reason of the sugar is of course to sweeten the medicine.
2. The cause of the sugar is of course to sweeten the medicine.
3. The need of the sugar is of course to sweeten the medicine.
4. The purpose of the sugar is of course to sweeten the medicine.

How can I choose the best when they seem the same.
I try choosing number 4. Is it right? Please help.

Alan · #2 (permalink) Fri Nov 18, 2005 10:14 am *Purpose of need or what else?*

Guest · #3 (permalink) Fri Nov 18, 2005 11:03 am *Purpose of need or what else?*

Dear teacher,
Thank you for your reply and your suggestion. Your explanation helps me understand how to use the words "reason" "need" and "purpose" and helps me to choose the best sentence.
Thank you teacher a lot.

Mister Micawber · #4 (permalink) Sat Nov 19, 2005 7:39 am *Purpose of need or what else?*

Sugar, as an inanimate material, has no needs nor causes (though it may be produced).

The correct collocations are:

the reason for X is...
the purpose of X is...

Therefore, the only correct sentence is (4) The purpose of the sugar is of course to sweeten the medicine.
_________________
Native English teacher at Mister Micawber's

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