Page 298 - Practical English Usage 3ed - Michael Swan, Oxford

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infinitives (13): for ... to ... infinitive with its own subject
The structure for + noun/pronoun + infinitive is very common in English. It is used when an infinitive needs its own subject. Compare:
- Ann will be happy to help you. (Ann will help.)
Ann will be happy for the children to help you. (The children will help.)
- My idea was to learn Russian.
My idea was for her to learn Russian.
- To ask Joe would be a big mistake.
For you to ask Joe would be a big mistake. (NOT fuu tfJ tfSk )'-fJe w(mld be •••) Note that the subject of the infinitive is the object of the preposition for. Object forms of pronouns are used.
Ann will be happy for them to help you. (NOT ••• ffJF they ltJ help 16U.) 2 use
The structure is often used when we are referring to possibility, necessity or frequency, when we are expressing wishes, suggestions or plans for the future, and when we are giving personal reactions to situations. Like other infinitive structures, it is used especially after adjectives, nouns and verbs; it can also act as the subject of a clause. It often has the same meaning as a that-clause. Compare:
It's important for the meeting to start on time.
It's important that the meeting should start on time.
3 after adjectives: anxious for us to see ...
The structure for + object + infinitive can be used after certain adjectives which express wishes and other personal feelings about the importance or value of future events (e.g. anxious, eager, delighted, willing, reluctant).
adjective + for + object + infinitive
She's anxious for us to see her work.
I'm eager for the party to be a success.
Robert says he'd be delighted for Mary to come and stay.
4 It's impossible for . .. to ...
For-structures with preparatory it (see 446) are common with many adjectives expressing possibility, necessity, importance, urgency, frequency and value judgements.
(...) it (...) + adjective + for + object + infinitive
It's impossible for the job to be finished in time.
Would it be easy for you to phone me tomorrow?
It's important for 1M meeting to start at eight.
It seems unnecessary for him to start work this week.
I consider it essential for the school to be properly heated. Is it usual for faxes to come so close to the town?
I thought it strange for her to be out so late.
It's not good for the aU tank to be so close to the house.
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