afin

Afin is a word from the French language used to express purpose in fixed constructions. It is most commonly encountered in the phrases afin de + infinitive and afin que + subjunctive, which translate to in order to or so that in English. For example: Il étudie afin de réussir. Elle agit afin que le projet aboutisse. In everyday speech, speakers often replace afin de or afin que with more everyday equivalents such as pour or dans le but de.

Usage and nuance. Afin emphasizes intention or goal and is typically found in formal, written, or carefully worded speech. The construction afin de is followed by an infinitive, while afin que is followed by a finite verb in the subjunctive mood. The choice between these forms mirrors the distinction between purpose (de) and intermediate goals requiring a clause (que).

Etymology and relation. The word is descended from Latin via Old French, tracing to a root associated with purpose and relation. In modern French, afin by itself is rarely used outside these fixed expressions and does not normally appear as an independent adverb or adjective in everyday language. In technical vocabulary or other languages, related terms such as affine (in mathematics, meaning relating to affine transformations) share a common etymological lineage but are distinct words with separate usages.

See also: French grammar of purpose clauses; affine (mathematics).