s cílem + Infinitive

The pattern s cílem + infinitiv (translating to "with the aim of [doing something]" or "with the goal of [doing something]") is a sophisticated way to express purpose without using a subordinate clause.

Key Characteristics:

• Register: It belongs to formal, journalistic, and corporate language, and is standard written Czech frequently heard in news and sports commentary. However, using it in casual conversation sounds unnatural and robotic.
• Control (Subject and Object): Usually, the subject of the main clause is the one performing the action in the infinitive. However, object control is also perfectly grammatical in Czech (e.g., Trenér jej vyslal na hřiště s cílem rozhodnout zápas). If the actor of the goal is entirely different from both the subject and object, the infinitive cannot be used, and you must use the finite clause s cílem, aby... instead. Note that s cílem, aby... can also be used even when the subjects are the same (e.g., Trénoval s cílem, aby vyhrál).
• Negative Goals: To express a negative goal ('with the aim of not doing something'), simply negate the infinitive using the standard slovesná negace ne- prefix (e.g., s cílem nebýt horší).
• Grammatical Status: Unlike true secondary prepositions, s cílem retains its status as a prepositional phrase with a full noun. This means it can also be followed by a finite clause (s cílem, aby... or s cílem, že...) or a noun, typically a verbal noun (podstatné jméno slovesné) (e.g., s cílem získání). When using finite clauses, note that the conjunction aby inflects for person (abych, abys, aby, abychom, abyste) and must be followed by the past participle (l-participle), whereas že takes the indicative. While the future tense is often used for a goal with že, the present tense is equally common, especially when paired with verbs of volition like chtít (e.g., s cílem, že to chci změnit). Furthermore, s cílem, aby is significantly more common and inherently expresses an active goal. However, s cílem, že can also express highly active goals when paired with a verb of volition, rather than just sounding like an expectation or statement of fact. Note that any noun following s cílem must be in the genitive case. While using a verbal noun is a way to nominalize this phrase, it is widely considered heavy bureaucratese (úřednický slang). Czech stylists strongly recommend using the infinitive (e.g., s cílem získat) instead to avoid clunky nominalization. Because cíl retains its status as a noun, it can easily take adjectival modifiers. Learners will frequently see phrases like s hlavním cílem (with the main goal of) or s jasným cílem (with the clear aim of). This flexibility is a common reason to choose this structure over aby.
• Verbal Aspect: The infinitive following s cílem is often perfective (dokonavý vid pro dokončený děj) when focusing on the successful completion or result of an action. However, imperfective infinitives are perfectly normal and common whenever the goal is a process, a general activity, or a repeated action (e.g., s cílem pomáhat).
• Word Order: While it can naturally fall at the end of the clause as a heavy adverbial phrase of purpose, it is also frequently placed at the very beginning of a sentence to establish the context or purpose right away before describing the action.
• Punctuation: Because s cílem + infinitiv is a prepositional phrase and not a subordinate clause, it is not preceded by a comma. This contrasts with the finite clause alternatives, which strictly require a comma.

Comparison with other purpose structures:

• aby + kondicionál: The universal, neutral way to express purpose. Use this in everyday speech.
• za účelem + genitiv: Another formal purpose phrase. Note that za účelem strictly requires a noun in the genitive case. Using it with an infinitive (e.g., *za účelem získat) is considered a stylistic error in Czech, whereas s cílem naturally takes an infinitive. However, traditional Czech grammarians sometimes criticize s cílem + infinitiv as a syntactic calque, preferring za účelem + genitiv in highly formal corporate or legal writing.