SENTENCE PATTERNS WITH THE FOR-PHRASE

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.

HOMETASK

Exercise 8. Translate the sentences from Russian into English.

 

1. Вам полезно есть фрукты.

2. Мне легче сделать это сегодня.

3. Им будет проще поехать туда на метро.

4. Ей было бы трудно решить эту задачу.

5. Нам было приятно снова встретить наших друзей.

6. Нам будет полезно отдохнуть.

7. Вам вредно столько курить.

8. Ей было трудно молчать.

9. Не мне давать вам советы.

10. Не им обсуждать этот вопрос.

11. Машина шла слишком быстро, чтобы я мог рассмотреть лицо водителя.

12. Она говорила так медленно, что мы понимали каждое слово.

13. Я был слишком расстроен, чтобы мама этого не заметила.

14. Он говорил по-английски достаточно хорошо, и мы поняли, что ему надо.

15. В пещере было так темно, что мы не смогли найти выход.

16. Я оставила письма на столе, чтобы мистер Питере подписал их.

17. Вам необходимо быть здесь завтра в 5 часов.

18. Нам трудно сделать эту работу в такой короткий срок.

19. Детям там совершенно нечего делать.

20. Ей очень трудно перевести эту статью.

21. Очень мило, что вы пришли.

22. С его стороны было невежливо опаздывать.

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 timefor us to speakabout it. There is no onefor 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. They’ve left the results for the doctor to see.   b) The day was much too cold and rainyfor 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. I’m glad (pleased) to have got a ticket for the concert. I’m glad to have seen you. I’m sorry to have caused this trouble.
In other cases a clause should be used. I’m glad (that) you got a ticket to the concert. I’m 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 didn’t speak clearly enough for everyone to understand her.

 

N.B!

It is It was It will be nice kind sensible silly stupid tactless of smb to do   Itwas sillyof 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.