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. – Он очень хотел узнать правду.	He longed for me to see the truth. – Он очень хотел, чтобы я узнал правду.
All I want is to get out of here for good. – Единственное, чего я хочу, - это навсегда уехать отсюда.	All I want is for Jack to get out of here for good. – Единственное, чего я хочу, - это чтобы Джек навсегда покинул эти места.

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. – Единственное, чего я хочу, - это навсегда уехать отсюда.

SENTENCE PATTERNS WITH THE FOR-PHRASE

The for-phrases have different syntactical functions in the sentence:

1. The Subject*
is	good		□ It's easier for me togo out and buy
it was	easy	for smb todo smth	a new pair of gloves.
will be	impossible		Мне легче пойти и купить новую
	пару перчаток.
	□ It's easy for you to answerthis
	question.
	Тебе легко ответить на этот
	вопрос.
	□ It is not for me to sayso.
	He мне это говорить.
2. The Object
a)
to wait		□ I'm waiting for you to come.
to arrange	for smb todo smb	Я жду вашего прихода.
to be anxious		П I have arranged for you to havea
	private room.
	Я договорился, что у тебя будет
	отдельная комната.
b)
to make to think	it	difficult easy	for smb todo smth	□ Your attitude made it difficult for him to tellyou the truth.
	Ему было трудно сказать тебе
	правду из-за твоего отношения.
3. The Attribute a) a) somebody There is nothing for smb to dosmth b) It is only thing The right time for smb to dosmth 4. The Adverbial Modifier of Purpose do smth for smb to dosmth 5. The Adverbial Modifier of Result (too) cold wide (enough) for smb to dosmth	□ There is no one for the childrento playwith. Детям не с кем играть. □ There is nothing else for me to say Мне больше нечего сказать. □ It is not the right time for us to speakabout it. Сейчас не время нам об этом говорить. □ It was the only thing for me to do. Это было единственное, что я мог сделать. □ Не stood aside for us to pass by. Он отступил в сторону, чтобы мы могли пройти. □ The day was much too cold and rainy for anyone to havea good time. День был слишком холодный и дождливый,чтобы кто-нибудь мог хорошо провести время.

N.B!

It is It was It will be

Nice Kind Sensible Silly Stupid tactless

of smb to do

□ Itwas silly of youto ask that question. С твоей стороны было глупо задать этот вопрос. □ It's nice (kind) of youto say so. Очень мило с вашей стороны так говорить (что вы так говорите). □ It will be very sensible of youto go there at once. Очень будет разумно, если ты пойдешь туда сейчас же.

PRACTICE

Comment on the use of the for-to-infinitive construction:

1. I’m watching for someone to serve me.

2. At the station there were trolleys for passengers to put their luggage on.

3. We arranged for someone to look after the house.

4. Fiona was longing for her parcel to arrive.

5. It’s difficult for untrained people to find work.

6. We brought some toys for the children to play with.

7. For the diet to work properly, you have to follow it very strictly.

8. It’s dangerous for children to play near the railway line.