THE FOR-TO-INFINITIVE CONSTRUCTION
In the for-to-infinitive construction the infinitive (usually an infinitive phrase) is in predicate relation to a noun in the common case or a pronoun in the objective case introduced by the preposition for. The construction is used where the doer of the action (or the bearer of the state), expressed by the infinitive, is different from that of the finite verb (the predicate):
| The doer of the action of the finite verb and of the Infinitive is the same: | The doer of the action of the finite verb and of the Infinitive is not the same: |
| He longed to see the truth. . | He longed for me to see the truth. , . |
| All I want is to get out of here for good. , , - . | All I want is for Jack to get out of here for good. , , - . |
In translating this construction into Russian a subordinate clause or an infinitive is used.
Eg. All I want is to get out of here for good. , , - .
HOMETASK
Exercise 8. Translate the sentences from Russian into English.
1. .
2. .
3. .
4. .
5. .
6. .
7. .
8. .
9. .
10. .
11. , .
12. , .
13. , .
14. - , , .
15. , .
16. , .
17. 5 .
18. .
19. .
20. .
21. , .
22. .
SENTENCE PATTERNS WITH THE FOR-PHRASE
| Syntactical function | Examples |
| 1. Complex subject (often with introductory It) is good It was easy for smb to dosth will be impossible | For him to write a letter is necessary. It's easier for me to go out and buy a new pair of gloves. It's easy for you to answerthis question. It is not for me to sayso. I think it is a shame for people to spend so much money this way. |
| 2. Complex predicative. | It is for you to decide who of us is right. That was for him to find out. The instruction is for the engineers to follow. |
| 3. Complex object. | He waited for her to speak. He asked for papers to be brought. Erik saw that she was impatient for him to leave. |
| 4. Complex attribute. | The best thing for you to do is to obey. It is not the right time for us to speakabout it. There is no one for the children to playwith. |
| 5. Complexadverbial modifier: a) of purpose b) of result | a) He stepped aside for me to pass. He leaned for me to see the picture. Theyve left the results for the doctor to see. b) The day was much too cold and rainy for anyone to havea good time. He spoke loud enough for you to hear. He had consented and it was too late for him to recede. |
| With to be sorry, to be glad the infinitive is used only if the subject of the sentence represents also the doer of the action expressed by the infinitive. | Im glad (pleased) to have got a ticket for the concert. Im glad to have seen you. Im sorry to have caused this trouble. |
| In other cases a clause should be used. | Im glad (that) you got a ticket to the concert. Im sorry (that) you had to go through this trouble. |
| We can use the pattern with for after tooand enough. | The road is too busy for the children to be able to cross safely. The table was too small for all of us to sit round. The table was big enough for all of us to sit round. The guide didnt speak clearly enough for everyone to understand her. |
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N.B!
| It is It was It will be | nice kind sensible silly stupid tactless | of smb to do | Itwas silly of you to ask that question. It's nice (kind) of you to say so. It will be very sensible of you to go there at once. I admit it was stupid of me to take things so much to heart and quarrel with you. It was tactless of him to speak like that. |
