Page 299 - Practical English Usage 3ed - Michael Swan, Oxford
P. 299

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Other common adjectives that are used in this way include vital, necessary, pointless, unimportant, common, normal, unusual, rare, right, wrong. Note that likely and probable are not used like this.
She's likely to arrive this evening. (NOT It's likely fer her te arrille th~ ellening.)
It's probable that she'll be in a bad temper. OR She'll probably be . .. (NOT ft!s "rrihttbEe J.ftjr her t6 be ...)
after nouns: It's a good idea for us to ...
The structure can also be used after nouns in expressions with meanings similar to the adjectives listed above. Examples are; time, a goodlbad idea, plan, aim, need, request, mistake, shame.
It's time for everybody to go to bed.
It's a good idea for us to travel in separate cars.
There's a plan for Jack to spend a year in Japan.
Our aim is for students to learn as quickly as possible.
It was a big mistake for them not to keep John as manager. It was a real shame for them not to win after all their work.
something for me to do
Something, anything, nothing and similar words are often followed by for + object + infinitive.
Have you got somethingfor me to do?
There's nothing for the cats to eat.
Is there anybody for Louise to play with in the village?
1 must find somewhere for him to practise the piano.
after verbs: ask for. .. to ...
For-structures are not normally used as objects after verbs. I need you to help me. (NOT {,teed for)'fJft t8 hell' me.)
However, verbs which are normally followed by for (e.g. ask, hope, wait, look, pay, arrange) can often be used with for + object + infinitive.
Anne asked for the designs to be ready by Friday.
I can't wait for them to finish talking.
Can you arrange for the gold to be delivered on Monday? (NOT ••• for h'ie
t;6/:tl being tleliveretl:)
A few other verbs can be used like this, e.g. suit and take (time).
When will it suit you for us to call?
It took twenty minutes for the smoke to clear.
In informal American English, like, hate, mean, intend and some other verbs with similar meanings can be used with afor-structure. This is not usually possible in British English.
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I would like for you to stay as long as you want. She hates for people to feel sad.
Did you mean for John to mail those letters?
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infinitives (13); for ... to ... 291
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