GRAMMAR DETAIL

ために

in order to; for the purpose of

Follows an intentional action to express the purpose toward which the following action is directed.

Examples

健康を守るために毎朝公園を歩いている。

I walk in the park every morning to stay healthy.

日本語を上達させるために毎日声に出して読む。

I read aloud every day in order to improve my Japanese.

資格を取るために夜も勉強しています。

I also study at night in order to earn a certification.

Structure: Use ために after a verb's dictionary form or a noun followed by の to express purpose.
Basic usage: In 資格を取るために夜も勉強しています。, earning a qualification is the purpose of studying.

A target action and a target state
- 資格を取るために presents an intentional action as the goal. ように is natural for a target state of ability, as in 話せるように.
Purpose and cause
- In 勉強のために図書館へ行く, studying is the purpose; in 病気のために学校を休む, illness is the cause. The relationship between the preceding phrase and the following action determines the meaning of ために.