4. Grammar: Talking about a Purpose and a Method

When reading the article on the use of a multimeter, you may have noticed that it was full of advice and instructions. The article also gave methods on how something should be done, and explained why something should be done, i.e. what should be achieved: 

Method: Do X by doing Y

Purpose: Do X (in order) to do Y

Diagnose circuits easily using a digital multimeter.

Circuits can be diagnosed easily by means of a digital multimeter.

Circuits can be diagnosed easily by measuring the voltage across them.

By measuring the voltage across circuits, they can be diagnosed easily.

Take out screws using a mini screw driver.

Take out screws by means of a mini screw driver.

(In order) to diagnose circuits easily, use a digital multimeter.

A digital multimeter is used (in order) to diagnose circuits easily.

Measure the voltage across circuits (in order) to diagnose them easily.

(In order) to diagnose circuits easily, measure the voltage across them.

Use a mini screw driver (in order) to take out screws.

(In order) to take out screws, use a mini screw driver.

Takto uvádíme, jak nebo čím se má činnost dělat.

Toto je vlastně účelová věta – děláme činnost X proto, aby se stal děj Y. Účel můžeme vyjádřit pomocí (in order) to +infinitiv jen tehdy, pokud jsou v obou větách stejné podměty.

 

Notice that the phrases with “by” and “(in order) to” are sometimes “inverse” in meaning: see the two sentences in italics in the table above.

Now that you have studied the grammar points above, you can practise them. First, match two halves of sentences in this matching exercise. Then choose between to and by in this quiz. After that, turn the “method” sentences into “purpose” sentences or vice-versa in this task. Finally, write a short instruction manual on changing a fuse in a multimeter. This is sometimes necessary because, as the learn.sparkfun website says, “one of the most common mistakes with a new multimeter is to measure current on a bread board by probing from VCC (voltage at the common collector) to GND (ground). This will immediately short power to ground through the multimeter, causing the bread board power supply to brown out. As the current rushes through the multimeter, the internal fuse will heat up and then burn out as 200mA flows through it. It will happen in a split second and without any real audible or physical indication that something is wrong.

Now what? Well first, remember that measuring current is done in series (interrupt the VCC line to the breadboard or microcontroller to measure current). If you try to measure the current with a blown fuse, you'll probably notice that the meter reads '0.00' and that the system doesn't turn on like it should when you attach the multimeter. This is because the internal fuse is broken and acts as a broken wire or open. Don't worry, this happens all the time, and it costs about $1 to fix.” You just need to replace the fuse. Here you can see a manual on how to do that, but the individual steps are not in the correct order. So, your task is to put them in the correct order. Then leave the task open and focus on the second column. It gives you some clues how to improve the sentences stylistically. Use these clues and write a new, improved manual. Then check your answer in the key.