The for-to-infinitive construction

The for-to-Infinitive construction consists of

1) a noun in the common case or a pronoun in the objective case and

2) an Infinitive which is in predicate relation to the noun or pronoun. The construction is preceded by the preposition for, and that explains the name of the construction.

The for-to-Infinitive construction
	preposition	noun/pronoun	Infinitive
They waited	for	the door	to open.
It is useless	for	me	to speak to him.

This construction is translated into Russian by either a subordinate clause or an Infinitive: It was easy for me to answer that question. Мне легко было ответить на этот вопрос.

The for-to-Infinitive construction may be used in different syntactical functions similar to those of a single Infinitive. It can be used as:

1. the subject – For Mother to ask Philip for mercy meant that she was upset. To, что мать просила милости у Филиппа, означало, что она расстроена.

But in this function the for-to-Infinitive construction is usually found in sentences with the introductory subject it.

It is useless for me to interfere. Мне бесполезно вмешиваться.

It is safer for you to use a ladder. Для тебя безопаснее воспользоваться стремянкой.

2. The for-to-Infinitive construction may be used as a predicative – That was for you to do. Это ты должен был делать.

2а. The for-to-Infinitive construction may be used as part of a predicative – The house was easy for us to find. Нам легко было найти этот дом.

3. The for-to-Infinitive construction may be used as a complex object – She didn’t care for this to happen. Она не хотела, чтобы это случилось.

They are anxious for their son to enter the University. Они очень хотят, чтобы их сын попал в университет.

4. The for-to-Infinitive construction may be used as an attribute – There was no chance for her to find a good job. У нее не было шанса найти хорошую работу. (Chance is the subject modified by an attribute expressed by a for-to-Infinitive construction)

The best thing for you to do is to confess. Лучшее, что ты можешь сделать, — это признаться.

5. The for-to-Infinitive construction may be used as an adverbial modifier of a) purpose – He stopped for her to catch up with him. Он остановился, чтобы она могла догнать его.

Dorian stepped aside for the girl to pass. Дориан отошел, чтобы дать девушке (возможность) пройти.

b) The for-to-Infinitive construction may be used as an adverbial modifier of result – In this function the construction is chiefly preceded by either the adverb enough or the adverb too.

He has done enough for me to hate him. Он сделал достаточно, чтобы я его возненавидела.

The car is big enough for six people to ride in. Машина достаточно большая, чтобы в ней могло ехать шесть человек.

The fog was too thick for us to go on. Туман был такой (слишком) густой, что мы не могли/чтобы мы могли идти дальше.

They spoke too fast for us to understand. Они говорили так быстро, что мы не могли их понять.

That is too difficult for me to decide. Это слишком сложно, так что я не могу это решить.

We walked slow enough for the rest of the party to catch up with us. Мы шли достаточно медленно, так что остальная часть группы могла нас догнать.

Exercise 139. Underline the for-to-Infinitive construction used as subject. Speak on the type of the subject. Translate the sentences into Russian.

Model 1: For me to do it is very easy. Сделать это мне очень легко.

Model 2: It is easy for me to do it. Мне легко это сделать.

It is an introductory subject. The notional subject is expressed by the for-to-Infinitive construction for me to do it.

1. For Janet to make a sweater or a pull-over is never a problem. 2. It was just a trifle for Teddy to repair any car. 3. For Gordon to paint her portrait was a great pleasure. 4. It’s impossible for any woman to resist this sort of temptation. 5. For Ray to ask for advice meant he was incapable to find a proper solution. 6. It was so hard for him to realize that he was accused of such a crime. 7. He wanted to ask her one or two questions but it was difficult for him to attract her attention. 8. The pill is so big that it’s impossible for a child to swallow. 9. He’s always liked taking risks and it isn’t easy for us to persuade him not to do it now. 10. He kept walking quickly and I had to ran as it was impossible for me to keep up with him. 11. Molly was very keen on classical music and for her to listen to jazz or pop music was just like a terrible toothache. 12. For me to remember meeting him meant to remember everything that was connected with him.

Exercise 140. Match the parts of the sentences.

1. For him to make a choice in any situation 1. for their large family

to live in.

2. His computer classes are absolutely necessary 2. for all of us to admire.

3. A good family doctor is not easy 3. for him to eat.

4. Mr. and Mrs. Crisp have done enough 4. for the Browns to find.

5. The water-melon is 5. for John to be qualified

for his job.

6. We visited her quite often 6. for him to be cured.

7. The doctor’s proposal was a good chance 7. for you to give up?

8. Isn’t it a tedious and monotonous job 8. for her not to feel lonely.

9. Here’s a perfect couple 9. for their son to be set up on

the right path.

10. The flat is too small 10. seems to be a problem.

Exercise 141. Refashion the sentences using the introductory subject it. Translate the sentences.

Model: For her to eat a dozen of cakes is quite a usual thing. – It is quite a usual thing for her to eat a dozen of cakes.

1. For Vivien to play the piano was always a great pleasure. 2. For Jane to have a swim is impossible as she easily gets cold. 3. For Graham’s granny to cook anything is not a problem – she is an excellent cook. 4. For Joe to be taken to see his baby was just everything. 5. For Sandy to put on this dress was to obey her mother. 6. For Jonathan to marry Sue was his eager wish. 7. For Ian to tell her the story of his life meant to open his heart. 8. For Mr. Hollowood to accept their invitation meant to forgive them. 9. For him to keep silent and not to insult him in return meant to withdraw from the battle with honour. 10. For Eleanor’s husband to amuse himself by having people round him seemed absurd. 11. For Sally to go to an art gallery meant to waste time. 12. For Sid to get up early is always a problem – he is a night owl. 13. For me to marry Alfred wouldn’t be a way out. 14. For her to go back to work would be a pleasure. 15. For Melanie to get into Norwich University was her one aim in life.

Exercise 142. Answer the following questions. Give a complete answer. Use a for-to-Infinitive construction as subject.

Model: What is it unusual for you to do in the evening? – It’s unusual for me to stay at home just reading something.

1. What is it usual for you to do on Saturday night? 2. Where is it common for you to go on Sunday? 3. How is it more pleasant for you to watch TV: sitting in an arm-chair or lying on the sofa? 4. How is it safe for you to come home late: alone or with a friend? 5. How is it good (dangerous) for you to travel? 6. What actor is it always a pleasure for you to see on the stage (on TV)? 7. What can it be a shock for you to see? 8. What is it a waste of time for you to do? 9. Who may it be a surprise for you to meet in your town? 10. What may it be a misfortune for you to miss? 11. What will it be a treat for you to watch? 12. Where would it be good for you to go on holidays? 13. What is it a must for you to do in the morning/evening? 14. Where is it good for you to spend your vacation? 15. What music is it always a pleasure for you to listen to? 16. What language is it a must for you to study? 17. What country is it a dream for you to visit?

Exercise 143. Make up two line dialogues with an Infinitive-subject. Use the suggested adjectives.

Remember that after an adjective describing someone’s behaviour (nice, silly, etc.) we use a pattern with of.

kind	honest	silly
good	clever	stupid
helpful	intelligent	foolish
mean	sensible	careless
generous	reasonable	wrong
brave	nice	disgusting

Model: It was kind of your parents to give me a lift. – Yes, it was nice of them to do it.

It was good of Nell to help me clear away after the party. – Oh, yes, it was kind of her to do it.

Exercise 144. Translate the sentences into English. Use a for-to-Infinitive construction as subject.

1. Мне легко с ней. Она чуткий и мягкий человек. 2. Нам сложно объяснить вам, как нужно вести себя. 3. Для Стива только удовольствие сходить с тобой в музей. 4. Гарри трудно понять, почему она не хочет поехать на пикник. 5. Для них не поверить тебе – это расстроить тебя. 6. Нам нежелательно прерывать отношения с ними, потому что мы знаем их сто лет. 7. Лоре легко изучать английский. Она способна к языкам. 8. Джерри ничего не стоит проконтролировать, как они выполняют свои обязательства. 9. Сделать ей комплимент означает для него польстить ей. 10. Для Артура приехать на час позже значит больше никогда не увидеть ее. 11. Для него достичь чего-нибудь никогда не бывает проблемой. По крайней мере, ему так кажется. 12. Кейт очень важно купить новые очки. Она не может читать в старых. 13. Для нее так естественно не реагировать на такие слова.

Exercise 145. Underline the for-to-Infinitive construction used as predicative. Translate the sentences.

Model: This work is for you to do. – Эту работу надо сделать Вам.

1. The main problem is for her to believe that he won’t come back. 2. This house is just for you to see. 3. The first thing was for the child to be taken to the doctor. 4. The best thing was for the Robinsons not to get their son to sell his car. 5. The worst offer was for Andrew to leave his family and go abroad to work for that company. 6. The hardest problem was for the poor family to pay the rent. 7. The easiest way out is for John not to stay at a hotel but to rent a furnished room. 8. This paper is for you to type and send to our partner. 9. The linen is for Sandy to wash or to take to the laundry. 10. The book is for Henry to give back to Mike. 11. The video is for you to watch if you like.

Exercise 146. Translate the sentences into English. Pay attention to the use of the for-to-Infinitive construction as predicative.

1. Для него лучше всего было бы не ходить к ней и не травмировать ее. 2. Главное – ей понять, что отчаиваться не следует. 3. Самое разумное для ребенка – не смотреть пошлые фильмы и не читать пустые книги. 4. Основная проблема – чтобы она нашла ей подходящее лекарство. 5. Хуже всего для них – купить новый дом и не иметь возможности жить в нем. 6. Самое нежелательное для Джека – получить зарплату меньше, чем он рассчитывал. 7. Самое интересное для меня – съездить в Англию и посмотреть все главные достопримечательности. 8. Самое простое для Вас – не спорить с ними, а принять все, как есть. 9. Самое лучшее для вас – согласиться играть эту роль. 10. Главное для вас – отдать ему долг и больше никогда не обращаться к нему.

Exercise 147. Underline the for-to-Infinitive construction used as complex object. Translate the sentences.

Model: She doesn’t care for them to come. Ей неважно, приедут ли они. (Их визит ее не волнует)

1. I don’t care for you to agree with me. 2. She was anxious for him to marry Lady Gordon’s daughter. 3. We waited for the teacher to come and start the exam. 4. She didn’t care for her friends to approve of her decision. 5. Roy was anxious for his family to arrive as he missed them a lot. 6. Barbara waited for Larry to find a way out for both of them. 7. They usually don’t care for their children to go to bed in time.

Exercise 148. Translate the sentences into English. Pay attention to the use of the for-to-Infinitive construction as complex object.

1. Он очень хочет, чтобы его сын женился и сделал хорошую карьеру. 2. Ей все равно, одобряете ли вы ее выбор. 3. Мы ждали, что они купят новый телевизор, а нам отдадут старый. 4. Меня не волнует, что они уезжают. 5. Я очень хочу, чтобы мой фильм увидели за рубежом и оценили. 6. Мы ждали, что шеф позвонит утром, но напрасно. 7. Дэвид очень хочет, чтобы его жена нашла хорошую работу.

Exercise 149. Underline the for-to-Infinitive construction used as attribute and the noun it modifies. Translate the sentences into Russian. Note the modal meaning the construction may have.

Model: That’s a chance for Sandy to change the flat. Это шанс для Сэнди сменить квартиру.

Here’s the fax message for you to translate. Вот факс, который Вы должны перевести.

1. There’s nothing for us to talk about. 2. We have very little for them to give. 3. That was the last thing for her to say. 4. There was no time for them to pack the things. 5. There was nothing for the child to fear. 6. Unfortunately, I have nothing for you to drink. We’ve run out of wine. 7. There’s nothing for you to admire here. 8. There’s something for you to make fun of. 9. Here’s a very interesting item for you to read. 10. This is not the right girl for you to marry. 11. That’s a nice place for us to have a good time at. 12. I’ve found a good job for you to earn enough money.

Exercise 150. Paraphrase the sentences using the for-to-Infinitive construction as attribute.

Model: Here’s the book which you can read before going to bed. – Here’s the book for you to read before going to bed.

1. You should find somebody who you could look after in order to get some money. 2. We need a place where we could spend our holiday. 3. That’s the room where he can work. 4. Here are the articles that you should look through and say what you think of them. 5. He is just the child you have to worry about. 6. That’s not a question you can answer. 7. This is one of the problems you’ll have to solve before having a talk with her. 8. Here are the instructions you have to follow. 9. He will always find somebody he may have a talk with. 10. That was a good chance for the family as they could move in.

Exercise 151. Translate the sentences into English using the for-to-Infinitive construction as attribute.

1. Нет никого, кого он мог бы полюбить и, наконец, найти свое семейное счастье. 2. Я принесла книгу, которую ты можешь почитать в дороге, когда поедешь в Крым. 3. Вот бутерброды, чтобы ты перекусил на работе. 4. Постарайся найти место, где ты можешь уединиться и поработать. 5. Я купил тебе подарок, который доставит тебе радость. 6. Это та проблема, на которую вы должны обратить особое внимание. 7. Это как раз тот человек, на которого ты можешь положиться. 8. Вот дом, в котором ты будешь чувствовать себя удобно. 9. Он составил план, который мы должны обсудить в ближайшее время. 10. Это лишь предлог, которым вы можете воспользоваться, чтобы не ходить на совещание. 11. Вот шанс для вас поговорить с ними. 12. Здесь нет ничего, что мы могли бы купить ей на день рождения. 13. Вот хороший повод для нас навестить их. 14. Отец купил компьютер, на котором сын может решать шахматные задачи.

Exercise 152. Match the following sentence pairs. Rewrite them with a for-to-Infinitive construction. Be careful not to repeat the object modified by the construction.

Model: There’s a visitors’ book for quests to write their names in.

Imagine that you are at a hotel where:

1. There’s a visitors’ book. 1. You can listen to it.

2. There are three lifts. 2. You can picnic at them.

3. There are some tables in the yard. 3. Tourists can buy souvenirs in them.

4. There’s music every night. 4. Guests can write their names in it.

5. There is a pool. 5. Guests can go upstairs in them.

6. There are gift shops. 6. They can carry the guests’ bags.

7. There is a disco. 7. She can help the guests around.

8. There are two restaurants. 8. Guests can relax in them.

9. There is a lounge with 9. Guests can enjoy it.

comfortable armchairs.

10. There is good service. 10. Guests can have dinner in them.

11. There is a receptionist. 11. Guests can dance there.

12. There are some porters. 12. You can find out everything

about the city there.

13. There is an information office. 13. You can swim there.

Exercise 153. Underline the for-to-Infinitive construction used as adverbial modifier of purpose. Translate the sentences.

1. She didn’t say a word for them to understand that she agreed. 2. We did everything for him to be saved. 3. He has to wake me up very early for me to arrive at work in time. 4. Mary and Angela came into the room for their dad to give them some pocket money. 5. He brought the novel for the editor to read. 6. My husband bought a car for me to go to the country whenever I wish. 7. When my child is asleep we never talk in a loud voice for him not to wake up. 8. Dennis phoned her from time to time for her not to say that he had left her. 9. She bought some pictures for us to decorate the flat. 10. Sally switched on the TV for Dick to relax a bit. 11. Eddy advised Sally to take a taxi for her to get to the club as she was late. 12. She put on her bright evening dress for him to notice her at once.

Exercise 154. Paraphrase the sentences using the for-to-Infinitive construction as adverbial modifier of purpose.

Model: He bought her a soft and most comfortable armchair so that she could relax. – He bought a soft and most comfortable armchair for her to relax.

1. He took the girl friend to his friends’ so that they could tell him what they thought of her as his partner. 2. Felix was sincere and revealed all his secrets so that we could understand that he didn’t want to conceal anything. 3. The film producer gave his instructions to the actors so that they didn’t make any mistake. 4. Do it so that they could calm down. 5. Don’t cry so that they shouldn’t feel that you are upset. 6. Choose the way you like so that you might be sure that was your own choice. 7. Open the window so that he could get a breath of fresh air. 8. Shut the door so that nobody could hear us. 9. Let’s buy a small television so that the children could watch it when they are alone. 10. Jane bought some apples, flour, sugar and a bottle of milk that her mother could make an apple pie. 11. She was very careful in choosing the right words so that he did not throw a fit. 12. So many people had been exposed to radiation in that region that the doctors did their best that they could recover.

Exercise 155. Underline the for-to-Infinitive construction used as adverbial modifier of result/consequence. Translate the sentences into Russian.

Model: She walked too quickly/slowly enough for me to keep up with her. Она шла слишком быстро, чтобы я мог поспевать за ней / достаточно медленно, чтобы я мог догнать ее.

1. They had done enough for us to live and respect them. 2. The book is too thick for me to read it on the train. 3. The house is spacious enough for such a family to live in. 4. Our son is too little for us to leave him alone. 5. He was angry enough for his wife to understand that it was impossible to go on talking with him. 6. The problem was too serious for us to solve in haste. 7. The traffic was heavy enough for us not to drive but to go by the underground. 8. We got up early enough for us not to miss the first train. 9. She is too silly for them to hope that she can find a way out herself. 10. The wind was strong enough for the children not to go and have a swim. 11. She talked too fast for us to understand every word. 12. The idea was interesting enough for them to be inspired by it.

Exercise 156. Paraphrase the sentences using a for-to-Infinitive construction as adverbial modifier of result/consequence.

Model: She is big enough and we can rely upon her. – She is big enough for us to rely upon her.

1. His father is rather rich and Dick can buy not only a car but a post as well. 2. My friend is too light-minded and you’d better not ask her for help. 3. Freddy can run so fast that you shouldn’t compete with him. 4. Lucy was quite clever and they could trust her. 5. Simon is very old and his children can’t let him go abroad alone. 6. Rachel’s French is very bad and you shouldn’t ask her to interpret. 7. Val can swim rather well and you can invite him to take part in the local sports competitions. 8. Martha’s house is pretty large and they can stay with her. 9. The garden is very small and your father can’t plant all these trees there. 10. The poem is too long and Mike can’t learn it by heart. 11. His voice was pretty low and we can hardly hear what he said. 12. This paper is rather dull and I never subscribe to it.

Exercises 157. Use a for-to-Infinitive construction after too or enough.

Model: We couldn’t find the pin in the hay-stack. (small) – The pin was too small for us to find in the hay-stack.

The place is quiet. We can have a rest her. – The place is quiet enough for us to have a rest.

1. I can’t read the sign. (1. high 2. not big enough) 2. Grace couldn’t reach the top shelf. (high) 3. We can’t understand this text. (difficult) 4. Everyone could hear the music. (loud enough) 5. The sea was cold. They couldn’t swim. 6. The table is small. We can’t all sit round it. 7. The table is big. All of us can sit around it. 8. We couldn’t understand the guide. He wasn’t speaking loudly. 9. The boys couldn’t lift the piano. (heavy)

Exercise 158. Translate the sentences into English. Use a for-to-Infinitive construction as an adverbial modifier of purpose and result.

1. Она убрала квартиру, чтобы не делать это в воскресенье. 2. Ребенок слишком мал, чтобы вы разрешали ему смотреть такие передачи. 3. Вентилятор слишком маленький, чтобы вы могли проветривать такую большую комнату. 4. День достаточно теплый, чтобы нам поехать искупаться. 5. Отойди, чтобы я мог подвинуть стол. 6. Холодильник слишком мал, чтобы вам использовать его на даче. 7. Возьми книгу в библиотеке, чтобы мне подготовиться к семинару. 8. Купи побольше продуктов, чтобы бабушке не ходить в магазин каждый день. 9. Мы решили о нем заботиться, чтобы его жена была спокойна. 10. Дом построили, чтобы семьи военных могли получить квартиры. 11. Джек слишком неуравновешен, чтобы мы доверили ему это важное дело.

Exercise 159. Paraphrase the following sentences. Use a for-to-Infinitive construction.

Model: Have you got any coffee that I can drink? – Have you got any coffee for me to drink?

We’re eager that the holidays should begin. – We’re eager for the holidays to begin.

1. The milk is so hot that the baby can’t drink it. 2. We’re waiting for the arrival of the manager. 3. I’ve brought you some magazines that you could read them on the train. 4. He opened the door that she could enter the room. 5. Isn’t there anything I can eat? 6. The suitcase is so heavy that I can’t take it upstairs. 7. We’ll have to go by train if we are to come on time. – It will be necessary... 8. They were waiting until the door opened. 9. It’s time you told me everything. 10. The station master raised his flag and the train could start. 11. Watching the performance was a real pleasure for her. – It was a real pleasure... 12. We’re waiting for the arrival of the train. 13. We had to walk all the way. – It was necessary... 14. I took some lessons but they didn’t help much. – It was useless... 15. The shoes are too old fashioned. You can’t wear them. 16. The river was so overflown that we couldn’t cross it. 17. Please, draw the curtains aside, so that the sun could shine in. 18. Shall we go on? It seems useless. 19. The problem is too personal. We can’t discuss it in public. 20. I’ve got my picture here so that you may look at it.

Exercise 160. Make a statement. Let your partner react to your statement. Use a for-to-Infinitive construction.

Model: Tom: – For Dad to make a stool is not a problem. He has just made a set of furniture for my room.

Mary: – Oh, you must be happy to have such a handyman in your family. And for me to nail something up is as difficult as for you to make a pie.

Say what	is	easy	for	you	dad	to do.
		hard		your	mum
		difficult		your	friend
	seems to be	impossible		your
		necessary		etc.
		a problem

Exercise 161. Answer the following questions.

A. Use a for-to-Infinitive construction. Give a complete answer.

Model: Who is it a pleasure for to have a swim? – It’s a pleasure for my brother to have a swim.

Who is it	a pleasure	for	to read Shakespeare in the original?
			to read English books?
			to see English films?
			to be talking English?
	necessary		to walk in the rain and to get wet?
			to be walking now during the lesson?
			to see Lawrence Olivier in Hamlet?
			to see Mikhalkov’s films?
	important		to listen to the Beatles?
			to gather mushrooms?
			to pick berries?
			to watch TV?
			to study grammar?
			to go out to a pub?
			to buy a PC?
			to give up smoking?

B. Use a for-to-Infinitive construction as subject or an Infinitive as adverbial modifier of purpose. Give a complete answer.

Model: What is necessary for you to do to make a cake? – To make a cake it’s necessary for me to have some flour, a couple of eggs and some butter.