“… to apply for a visa” or “… and applied for a visa”?





.everyoneloves__top-leaderboard:empty,.everyoneloves__mid-leaderboard:empty,.everyoneloves__bot-mid-leaderboard:empty{ margin-bottom:0;
}







5















Here are two sentences:




  1. Once he got the passport, he went to the Chinese consulate in Toronto and applied for a visa.


  2. Once he got the passport, he went to the Chinese consulate in Toronto to apply for a visa.



Are the two sentences grammatical, and do they sound natural?



If they are both fine, so what's the difference?



Thanks!






grammar







share|improve this question































    5















    Here are two sentences:




    1. Once he got the passport, he went to the Chinese consulate in Toronto and applied for a visa.


    2. Once he got the passport, he went to the Chinese consulate in Toronto to apply for a visa.



    Are the two sentences grammatical, and do they sound natural?



    If they are both fine, so what's the difference?



    Thanks!






    grammar







    share|improve this question



























      5












      5








      5








      Here are two sentences:




      1. Once he got the passport, he went to the Chinese consulate in Toronto and applied for a visa.


      2. Once he got the passport, he went to the Chinese consulate in Toronto to apply for a visa.



      Are the two sentences grammatical, and do they sound natural?



      If they are both fine, so what's the difference?



      Thanks!






      grammar







      share|improve this question
















      Here are two sentences:




      1. Once he got the passport, he went to the Chinese consulate in Toronto and applied for a visa.


      2. Once he got the passport, he went to the Chinese consulate in Toronto to apply for a visa.



      Are the two sentences grammatical, and do they sound natural?



      If they are both fine, so what's the difference?



      Thanks!






      grammar




      grammar






      share|improve this question















      share|improve this question













      share|improve this question




      share|improve this question








      edited 11 hours ago







      Austin

















      asked 12 hours ago









      AustinAustin

      313




      313






















          3 Answers
          3






          active

          oldest

          votes


















          10














          They are both pretty much fine, but have slightly different meanings due to tense:



          and applied for a visa suggests that the process was completed.



          to apply for a visa makes no such suggestion - the subject may in fact not have done so for some reason.






          share|improve this answer
























          • I love this answer. It's impossible for me to think it out. Thanks!

            – Austin
            12 hours ago













          • Indeed, they are quite different semantically, in the first case he certainly applied whereas in the second case no one knows whether he applied or changed his mind.

            – Lucian Sava
            12 hours ago











          • The word "to" insinuates this was the main or only reason for the visit. Based on the context, I imagine this is desired?

            – Jeff
            6 hours ago



















          6














          They're both perfectly valid and "natural", and in most cases they'd be equivalent and interchangeable.



          But potentially there could be a difference. If it turned out the Chinese consulate was closed when he got there (or there was some other reason why he couldn't apply for a visa), the second alternative (using the infinitive to apply) would still be valid. But in that scenario, the first version (with the and conjunction followed by a "tensed" verb form) would be incorrect (because he didn't actually make the application).



          That's because in version #2, to apply [for a visa] is an adverbial clause defining purpose (the reason he went to the consulate) - he could still have gone there for that purpose even if he was unsuccessful in his intentions. But the and version unambiguously forces the interpretation that he was successful.





          1a: Then he went to the consulate and applied for a visa, but it was closed. - WRONG!

          2a: Then he went to the consulate to apply for a visa, but it was closed. - FINE







          share|improve this answer


























          • I totally agree with your answer although I can't get the reason for which you put in bold that and.

            – Lucian Sava
            11 hours ago











          • Same reason I emboldened to apply in the preceding sentence - they're mentions, not uses.

            – FumbleFingers
            10 hours ago











          • Great link, thanks so much! :)

            – Lucian Sava
            9 hours ago











          • He could also still be at the consulate... "He went to the consulate to apply for a visa. He'll be back this evening."

            – user3067860
            8 hours ago



















          5














          You can use "...in Toronto and applied for a visa" or "...in Toronto to apply for a visa".



          The meaning is the same in both cases. The difference is, in the first case, you are simply stating something that happened: A (he went to the Chinese consulate) happened, then B (he applied for a visa) happened. In the second case, you are stating a reason: A happened for the purpose of B (and without further context, it is implied that B also happened). However, technically speaking, the two statements are like 99% equivalent so you can use either.






          share|improve this answer








          New contributor




          Ertai87 is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
          Check out our Code of Conduct.





















            Your Answer








            StackExchange.ready(function() {
            var channelOptions = {
            tags: "".split(" "),
            id: "481"
            };
            initTagRenderer("".split(" "), "".split(" "), channelOptions);

            StackExchange.using("externalEditor", function() {
            // Have to fire editor after snippets, if snippets enabled
            if (StackExchange.settings.snippets.snippetsEnabled) {
            StackExchange.using("snippets", function() {
            createEditor();
            });
            }
            else {
            createEditor();
            }
            });

            function createEditor() {
            StackExchange.prepareEditor({
            heartbeatType: 'answer',
            autoActivateHeartbeat: false,
            convertImagesToLinks: false,
            noModals: true,
            showLowRepImageUploadWarning: true,
            reputationToPostImages: null,
            bindNavPrevention: true,
            postfix: "",
            imageUploader: {
            brandingHtml: "Powered by u003ca class="icon-imgur-white" href="https://imgur.com/"u003eu003c/au003e",
            contentPolicyHtml: "User contributions licensed under u003ca href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/"u003ecc by-sa 3.0 with attribution requiredu003c/au003e u003ca href="https://stackoverflow.com/legal/content-policy"u003e(content policy)u003c/au003e",
            allowUrls: true
            },
            noCode: true, onDemand: true,
            discardSelector: ".discard-answer"
            ,immediatelyShowMarkdownHelp:true
            });


            }
            });














            draft saved

            draft discarded


















            StackExchange.ready(
            function () {
            StackExchange.openid.initPostLogin('.new-post-login', 'https%3a%2f%2fell.stackexchange.com%2fquestions%2f205163%2fto-apply-for-a-visa-or-and-applied-for-a-visa%23new-answer', 'question_page');
            }
            );

            Post as a guest















            Required, but never shown

























            3 Answers
            3






            active

            oldest

            votes








            3 Answers
            3






            active

            oldest

            votes









            active

            oldest

            votes






            active

            oldest

            votes









            10














            They are both pretty much fine, but have slightly different meanings due to tense:



            and applied for a visa suggests that the process was completed.



            to apply for a visa makes no such suggestion - the subject may in fact not have done so for some reason.






            share|improve this answer
























            • I love this answer. It's impossible for me to think it out. Thanks!

              – Austin
              12 hours ago













            • Indeed, they are quite different semantically, in the first case he certainly applied whereas in the second case no one knows whether he applied or changed his mind.

              – Lucian Sava
              12 hours ago











            • The word "to" insinuates this was the main or only reason for the visit. Based on the context, I imagine this is desired?

              – Jeff
              6 hours ago
















            10














            They are both pretty much fine, but have slightly different meanings due to tense:



            and applied for a visa suggests that the process was completed.



            to apply for a visa makes no such suggestion - the subject may in fact not have done so for some reason.






            share|improve this answer
























            • I love this answer. It's impossible for me to think it out. Thanks!

              – Austin
              12 hours ago













            • Indeed, they are quite different semantically, in the first case he certainly applied whereas in the second case no one knows whether he applied or changed his mind.

              – Lucian Sava
              12 hours ago











            • The word "to" insinuates this was the main or only reason for the visit. Based on the context, I imagine this is desired?

              – Jeff
              6 hours ago














            10












            10








            10







            They are both pretty much fine, but have slightly different meanings due to tense:



            and applied for a visa suggests that the process was completed.



            to apply for a visa makes no such suggestion - the subject may in fact not have done so for some reason.






            share|improve this answer













            They are both pretty much fine, but have slightly different meanings due to tense:



            and applied for a visa suggests that the process was completed.



            to apply for a visa makes no such suggestion - the subject may in fact not have done so for some reason.







            share|improve this answer












            share|improve this answer



            share|improve this answer










            answered 12 hours ago









            Mike BrockingtonMike Brockington

            6138




            6138













            • I love this answer. It's impossible for me to think it out. Thanks!

              – Austin
              12 hours ago













            • Indeed, they are quite different semantically, in the first case he certainly applied whereas in the second case no one knows whether he applied or changed his mind.

              – Lucian Sava
              12 hours ago











            • The word "to" insinuates this was the main or only reason for the visit. Based on the context, I imagine this is desired?

              – Jeff
              6 hours ago



















            • I love this answer. It's impossible for me to think it out. Thanks!

              – Austin
              12 hours ago













            • Indeed, they are quite different semantically, in the first case he certainly applied whereas in the second case no one knows whether he applied or changed his mind.

              – Lucian Sava
              12 hours ago











            • The word "to" insinuates this was the main or only reason for the visit. Based on the context, I imagine this is desired?

              – Jeff
              6 hours ago

















            I love this answer. It's impossible for me to think it out. Thanks!

            – Austin
            12 hours ago







            I love this answer. It's impossible for me to think it out. Thanks!

            – Austin
            12 hours ago















            Indeed, they are quite different semantically, in the first case he certainly applied whereas in the second case no one knows whether he applied or changed his mind.

            – Lucian Sava
            12 hours ago





            Indeed, they are quite different semantically, in the first case he certainly applied whereas in the second case no one knows whether he applied or changed his mind.

            – Lucian Sava
            12 hours ago













            The word "to" insinuates this was the main or only reason for the visit. Based on the context, I imagine this is desired?

            – Jeff
            6 hours ago





            The word "to" insinuates this was the main or only reason for the visit. Based on the context, I imagine this is desired?

            – Jeff
            6 hours ago













            6














            They're both perfectly valid and "natural", and in most cases they'd be equivalent and interchangeable.



            But potentially there could be a difference. If it turned out the Chinese consulate was closed when he got there (or there was some other reason why he couldn't apply for a visa), the second alternative (using the infinitive to apply) would still be valid. But in that scenario, the first version (with the and conjunction followed by a "tensed" verb form) would be incorrect (because he didn't actually make the application).



            That's because in version #2, to apply [for a visa] is an adverbial clause defining purpose (the reason he went to the consulate) - he could still have gone there for that purpose even if he was unsuccessful in his intentions. But the and version unambiguously forces the interpretation that he was successful.





            1a: Then he went to the consulate and applied for a visa, but it was closed. - WRONG!

            2a: Then he went to the consulate to apply for a visa, but it was closed. - FINE







            share|improve this answer


























            • I totally agree with your answer although I can't get the reason for which you put in bold that and.

              – Lucian Sava
              11 hours ago











            • Same reason I emboldened to apply in the preceding sentence - they're mentions, not uses.

              – FumbleFingers
              10 hours ago











            • Great link, thanks so much! :)

              – Lucian Sava
              9 hours ago











            • He could also still be at the consulate... "He went to the consulate to apply for a visa. He'll be back this evening."

              – user3067860
              8 hours ago
















            6














            They're both perfectly valid and "natural", and in most cases they'd be equivalent and interchangeable.



            But potentially there could be a difference. If it turned out the Chinese consulate was closed when he got there (or there was some other reason why he couldn't apply for a visa), the second alternative (using the infinitive to apply) would still be valid. But in that scenario, the first version (with the and conjunction followed by a "tensed" verb form) would be incorrect (because he didn't actually make the application).



            That's because in version #2, to apply [for a visa] is an adverbial clause defining purpose (the reason he went to the consulate) - he could still have gone there for that purpose even if he was unsuccessful in his intentions. But the and version unambiguously forces the interpretation that he was successful.





            1a: Then he went to the consulate and applied for a visa, but it was closed. - WRONG!

            2a: Then he went to the consulate to apply for a visa, but it was closed. - FINE







            share|improve this answer


























            • I totally agree with your answer although I can't get the reason for which you put in bold that and.

              – Lucian Sava
              11 hours ago











            • Same reason I emboldened to apply in the preceding sentence - they're mentions, not uses.

              – FumbleFingers
              10 hours ago











            • Great link, thanks so much! :)

              – Lucian Sava
              9 hours ago











            • He could also still be at the consulate... "He went to the consulate to apply for a visa. He'll be back this evening."

              – user3067860
              8 hours ago














            6












            6








            6







            They're both perfectly valid and "natural", and in most cases they'd be equivalent and interchangeable.



            But potentially there could be a difference. If it turned out the Chinese consulate was closed when he got there (or there was some other reason why he couldn't apply for a visa), the second alternative (using the infinitive to apply) would still be valid. But in that scenario, the first version (with the and conjunction followed by a "tensed" verb form) would be incorrect (because he didn't actually make the application).



            That's because in version #2, to apply [for a visa] is an adverbial clause defining purpose (the reason he went to the consulate) - he could still have gone there for that purpose even if he was unsuccessful in his intentions. But the and version unambiguously forces the interpretation that he was successful.





            1a: Then he went to the consulate and applied for a visa, but it was closed. - WRONG!

            2a: Then he went to the consulate to apply for a visa, but it was closed. - FINE







            share|improve this answer















            They're both perfectly valid and "natural", and in most cases they'd be equivalent and interchangeable.



            But potentially there could be a difference. If it turned out the Chinese consulate was closed when he got there (or there was some other reason why he couldn't apply for a visa), the second alternative (using the infinitive to apply) would still be valid. But in that scenario, the first version (with the and conjunction followed by a "tensed" verb form) would be incorrect (because he didn't actually make the application).



            That's because in version #2, to apply [for a visa] is an adverbial clause defining purpose (the reason he went to the consulate) - he could still have gone there for that purpose even if he was unsuccessful in his intentions. But the and version unambiguously forces the interpretation that he was successful.





            1a: Then he went to the consulate and applied for a visa, but it was closed. - WRONG!

            2a: Then he went to the consulate to apply for a visa, but it was closed. - FINE








            share|improve this answer














            share|improve this answer



            share|improve this answer








            edited 10 hours ago

























            answered 11 hours ago









            FumbleFingersFumbleFingers

            46.4k156123




            46.4k156123













            • I totally agree with your answer although I can't get the reason for which you put in bold that and.

              – Lucian Sava
              11 hours ago











            • Same reason I emboldened to apply in the preceding sentence - they're mentions, not uses.

              – FumbleFingers
              10 hours ago











            • Great link, thanks so much! :)

              – Lucian Sava
              9 hours ago











            • He could also still be at the consulate... "He went to the consulate to apply for a visa. He'll be back this evening."

              – user3067860
              8 hours ago



















            • I totally agree with your answer although I can't get the reason for which you put in bold that and.

              – Lucian Sava
              11 hours ago











            • Same reason I emboldened to apply in the preceding sentence - they're mentions, not uses.

              – FumbleFingers
              10 hours ago











            • Great link, thanks so much! :)

              – Lucian Sava
              9 hours ago











            • He could also still be at the consulate... "He went to the consulate to apply for a visa. He'll be back this evening."

              – user3067860
              8 hours ago

















            I totally agree with your answer although I can't get the reason for which you put in bold that and.

            – Lucian Sava
            11 hours ago





            I totally agree with your answer although I can't get the reason for which you put in bold that and.

            – Lucian Sava
            11 hours ago













            Same reason I emboldened to apply in the preceding sentence - they're mentions, not uses.

            – FumbleFingers
            10 hours ago





            Same reason I emboldened to apply in the preceding sentence - they're mentions, not uses.

            – FumbleFingers
            10 hours ago













            Great link, thanks so much! :)

            – Lucian Sava
            9 hours ago





            Great link, thanks so much! :)

            – Lucian Sava
            9 hours ago













            He could also still be at the consulate... "He went to the consulate to apply for a visa. He'll be back this evening."

            – user3067860
            8 hours ago





            He could also still be at the consulate... "He went to the consulate to apply for a visa. He'll be back this evening."

            – user3067860
            8 hours ago











            5














            You can use "...in Toronto and applied for a visa" or "...in Toronto to apply for a visa".



            The meaning is the same in both cases. The difference is, in the first case, you are simply stating something that happened: A (he went to the Chinese consulate) happened, then B (he applied for a visa) happened. In the second case, you are stating a reason: A happened for the purpose of B (and without further context, it is implied that B also happened). However, technically speaking, the two statements are like 99% equivalent so you can use either.






            share|improve this answer








            New contributor




            Ertai87 is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
            Check out our Code of Conduct.

























              5














              You can use "...in Toronto and applied for a visa" or "...in Toronto to apply for a visa".



              The meaning is the same in both cases. The difference is, in the first case, you are simply stating something that happened: A (he went to the Chinese consulate) happened, then B (he applied for a visa) happened. In the second case, you are stating a reason: A happened for the purpose of B (and without further context, it is implied that B also happened). However, technically speaking, the two statements are like 99% equivalent so you can use either.






              share|improve this answer








              New contributor




              Ertai87 is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
              Check out our Code of Conduct.























                5












                5








                5







                You can use "...in Toronto and applied for a visa" or "...in Toronto to apply for a visa".



                The meaning is the same in both cases. The difference is, in the first case, you are simply stating something that happened: A (he went to the Chinese consulate) happened, then B (he applied for a visa) happened. In the second case, you are stating a reason: A happened for the purpose of B (and without further context, it is implied that B also happened). However, technically speaking, the two statements are like 99% equivalent so you can use either.






                share|improve this answer








                New contributor




                Ertai87 is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
                Check out our Code of Conduct.










                You can use "...in Toronto and applied for a visa" or "...in Toronto to apply for a visa".



                The meaning is the same in both cases. The difference is, in the first case, you are simply stating something that happened: A (he went to the Chinese consulate) happened, then B (he applied for a visa) happened. In the second case, you are stating a reason: A happened for the purpose of B (and without further context, it is implied that B also happened). However, technically speaking, the two statements are like 99% equivalent so you can use either.







                share|improve this answer








                New contributor




                Ertai87 is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
                Check out our Code of Conduct.









                share|improve this answer



                share|improve this answer






                New contributor




                Ertai87 is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
                Check out our Code of Conduct.









                answered 12 hours ago









                Ertai87Ertai87

                1591




                1591




                New contributor




                Ertai87 is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
                Check out our Code of Conduct.





                New contributor





                Ertai87 is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
                Check out our Code of Conduct.






                Ertai87 is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
                Check out our Code of Conduct.






























                    draft saved

                    draft discarded




















































                    Thanks for contributing an answer to English Language Learners Stack Exchange!


                    • Please be sure to answer the question. Provide details and share your research!

                    But avoid …



                    • Asking for help, clarification, or responding to other answers.

                    • Making statements based on opinion; back them up with references or personal experience.


                    To learn more, see our tips on writing great answers.




                    draft saved


                    draft discarded














                    StackExchange.ready(
                    function () {
                    StackExchange.openid.initPostLogin('.new-post-login', 'https%3a%2f%2fell.stackexchange.com%2fquestions%2f205163%2fto-apply-for-a-visa-or-and-applied-for-a-visa%23new-answer', 'question_page');
                    }
                    );

                    Post as a guest















                    Required, but never shown





















































                    Required, but never shown














                    Required, but never shown












                    Required, but never shown







                    Required, but never shown

































                    Required, but never shown














                    Required, but never shown












                    Required, but never shown







                    Required, but never shown







                    -

                    Popular posts from this blog

                    What other Star Trek series did the main TNG cast show up in?

                    Image
                    .everyoneloves__top-leaderboard:empty,.everyoneloves__mid-leaderboard:empty,.everyoneloves__bot-mid-leaderboard:empty{ margin-bottom:0; } 4 I'm referring to Picard, Riker, Data, Worf, Geordi, Dr. Crusher, Wesley Crusher, Chief O'Brien and family, Deanna Troi, Guinan. I know Picard and Worf show up on DS9, though I haven't seen it myself. I'm curious what happened to the characters after that last episode of TNG? star-trek star-trek-tng share | improve this question edited 10 hours ago Ham Sandwich 6,051 2 25 75 ...
                    Read more

                    Berlina muro

                    Image
                    La berlina muro ĉe Bethaniendamm, 1986 La berlina muro aŭ simple la muro [1] , nomita ankaŭ "kontraŭfaŝisma remparo" en propaganda lingvo de la iama Germana Demokratia Respubliko, estis parto de la interngermana limo, kiu dividis de la 13-a de aŭgusto 1961 ĝis la 9-a de novembro 1989 okcidentan Berlinon de la orienta parto de la urbo kaj de la ĉirkaŭa tereno de la GDR. Ĝi estis unu el la plej famaj simboloj de la malvarma milito kaj de la disdivido de Germanio. Pli ol simpla muro, la berlina muro estis fakte tuta defendokonstruaĵo kun du muroj, ena malplena strio, rondirvojo, gardturoj kaj alarmsistemoj. Dum la provo transiri la severe garditan limon al okcidenta Berlino multaj homoj estis mortigitaj. La preciza nombro de viktimoj estas pridisputita kaj ne certa; la nombroj anoncataj varias inter 86 kaj 238 mortintoj. La malplifortiĝo de Sovetunio kaj la politiko de liberigo gvidita de Miĥail Gorbaĉov ebligis al la orientgermanoj faligi la 9-an de novembro 1989 l...
                    Read more

                    Berlina aerponto

                    Image
                    Flugkoridoroj dum la blokado de Berlino La Berlina aerponto estas la provizigo de okcidenta Berlino per aviadiloj fare de la aliancanoj inter la 23-a de junio 1948 kaj la 12-a de majo 1949 dum la blokado de Berlino fare de la sovetia armeo. Enhavo 1 Historio 1.1 La aerkoridoroj 1.2 Unuaj flugoj 1.3 Plibonigo de la aerponto 1.4 Fino de la aerponto 1.5 Rozinbombiloj 1.6 Bilanco 2 Flughavenoj 2.1 Berlino 2.2 Okcidenta Germanio 3 Aviadiloj de la berlina aerponto 4 15-a datreveno de la aerponto 5 Bibliografio 6 Referencoj 7 Eksteraj ligiloj Historio | General Lucius D. Clay, militguberniestro de la usona okupadzono Jam antaŭ la berlina aerponto estiĝis la malgranda aerponto . La estro de la sovetia militadministracio en Germanio, Vasili Daniloviĉ Sokolovski, ordonis la 1-an de aprilo 1948, kiel reago al la konferenco de Londono inter britoj, francoj kaj reprezentantoj de Benelukso pri aligo de Germa...
                    Read more