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为的是

the aim being …; so that, in order to

Structure
做法 , 为的是 目的

What it means

Explains the purpose of an action already mentioned: “the aim being …, so that …”.

How it is built

Action,为的是 + purpose: 学校把上课时间推迟到八点,为的是让学生多睡一会儿 (the school starts at eight so pupils can sleep longer). 为的就是 adds emphasis.

When to use it

为的是 comes after the action, at the head of the second clause after a comma. 为了 does the same job but usually comes first: 为了多睡一会儿,….

Watch out

Don’t put 为的是 in front like 为了: ✗ 为的是让学生多睡一会儿,学校推迟了上课时间。 ✓ 为了让学生多睡一会儿,学校推迟了上课时间。

Examples

学校把上课时间推迟到八点,为的是让学生多睡一会儿。
The school pushed the start of lessons back to eight so that pupils could sleep a little longer.
他每天坚持跑步,为的是增强体力。
He goes running every day, the aim being to build up his stamina.
她白天上班,晚上还去学英语,为的是将来能找到更好的工作。
She works by day and studies English in the evening, all so that she can find a better job in future.
Learn this in Lesson 17 · HSK 5: 中学生的一天 (A school day in China)
A dialogue, a reading, word cards with audio and a drill that uses it, in Learn Chinese with Bao. The first lessons of every level are free.
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