For or of with the infinitive

THE INFINITIVE WITH IT’S OWN SUBJECT

Usually the action expressed by the Infinitive refers to the subject of the main verb:

I want to go there tomorrow.

She was sorry when it was time to go.

Sometimes the action expressed by the Infinitive can be referred to some other person or thing:

I want you to go there tomorrow.

She was sorry when it was time for me to go.

The infinitive with it’s own subject after verbs

If the infinitive after a verb has it’s own subject, we use the construction “Complex object”:

She didn’t want to go. → She didn’t want me to go.

John advised to see a lawyer. → John advised Mary to see a lawyer.

The infinitive with it’s own subject after nouns and adjectives

I	II	III
for / of	Noun(in the common case)   OR   Pronoun(in the objective case)	infinitive

1. Noun + for + infinitive:

I bought some meat to eat for dinner. → I bought some meat for my dog to eat.

2. Adjective + for + infinitive:

I thought it important to go there. → I thought it important for the whole family to go there.

Ex.1. DIY

Ex.2. Complete the following sentences using for-to-intinitlre phrases:

1. They waited at the door for (she).... 2. It is neces­sary for (he).... 3. There was no reason for (she).... 4. It was obligatory for (they).... 5. There were no friends for (he).... 6. There is nothing for (you).... 7. She played the violin for (they).... 8. It seemed strange for (they).... 9. It is desirable for (Pete).... 10. It is advisable for (they)

§ 3. Types of adjectives taking the construction for + infinitive

1) adjectives expressing importance or urgency:

It is important for the accounts to be ready by Friday.

It is essential for the classroom to have plenty of light.

It's pointless for three of us to go - one will be enough.

The same idea can be expressed by the subjunctive mood: It is essential that the classroom should have plenty of light.

2) adjectives expressing frequencysuch as common, normal, usual, rare:

It is common for foxes to come so close to the town?

It is unusual for her door to be open - I wonder if smth is wrong.

Do you think that it is normal for a child to get so tired?

... that a child should get so tired?

3) adjectives that express personal reactions to the future such as anxious, eager:

I'm anxious for the painting to be ready in time.

I'm anxious for the party to be a success

... that the party should be a success.

For or of with the infinitive

Ex.3. DIY

Ex.4.

§ 5. The syntactical functions of the for + infinitive construction

This construction has the same functions in the sentence as the infinitive:

Infinitive	For + Infinitive
Subject
It is easy to say that. It is necessary to be treated well.
Predicative
The first thing is to phone the police
Object to an adjective
She was pleasant to speak with This text was difficult to translate

attribute
Buy a book to read This is not a man to trust to.
4. adverbial modifier of purpose:
He quietly opened the door to leave the company.
5. adverbial modifier of result (especially afterenough and too):
You speak too quickly to understand. The night was too dark to drive

Ex.5. Change the following sentences so as the infinitive had it’s own subject:

I. Attribute

1. I want to buy a book to read in the metro. 2. He always finds smth to read. 3. I bought a cheap car to learn to drive. 4. There is no need to start before eight. 5. It is a bad idea to go to Australia. 6. It would be a mistake to change the job just now.

II. Subject

1. It is expensive to maintain a car. 2. It is necessary to pay back money. 3. It is mean / selfish not to help people. 4. It is time to come. 5. It is unusual to be late. 6. It is important to have regular services. 7. It is normal to stay up late on Saturdays.

III. Predicative

1. The doctor’s advice was to stop smoking. 2. The psychiatrist’s advice was to live away from the family for a while. 3. Aunt Polly’s instruction was to paint the fence. 4. My idea was to travel in different cars.

IV. Object to adjectives

1. She is easy to amuse. 2. This packet is ready to eat. 3. English is to understand. 4. Small children are interesting to watch. 5. Boiled eggs are good to eat. 6. Some modern music is boring to listen to.

IV. Result

1. It was too good to believe. 2. The film was too frightening to watch. 3. He ran too quickly to catch him.

V. Purpose

1. I bought some meat to prepare for supper. 2. Nick brought books to read. 3. Switch on the light to see better. 4. He stepped aside to pass.

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