Page 300 - Practical English Usage 3ed - Michael Swan, Oxford

8 after too and enough
Afor-structure is often used after too and enough.
This is much too heavy for you to lift.
There are too many people here for me to talk to all of them. Do you think it's warm enough for the snow to melt?
I explained enough for her to understand what was happening.
9 as subject
The for-structure can be the subject of a clause.
For us to fail now would be a disaster.
For her to lose the election would make me very happy.
However, it is more common for a structure with preparatory it to be used (see paragraph 4 above).
It would make me very happy for her to lose the election.
10 for there to be
The infinitive of there is (there to be) can be used after for.
I'm anxious for there to be plenty of time for discussion.
It's importantfor there to be a fire escape at the back ofthe building.
11 that-clauses
292
1
2
Instead of for + object + infinitive, a that-clause with should or a subjunctive (see 567) is often possible, especially when we want to express wishes, recommendations, suggestions and plans for the future. A that-clause is usually more formal than a for-structure.
It is important that there should be a fire escape. I'm anxious that the party should be a success. His idea is that we should travel in separate cars. It is essential that the meeting start at eight.
For sentences like He made it difficult for us to refuse. see 447.
infinitives (14): other uses
I came home to find ...
Infinitive clauses can be used to say what somebody found out or learnt at the end of a journey or task.
I arrived home to find that the house had been burgled.
The idea of surprise or disappointment can be emphasised by using only.
At last we got to Amy's place, only to discover that she was away. He spent four years studying. only to learn that there were no jobs.
To hear her talk, you'd think ...
The infinitives of see and hear can be used to explain the reason for a false impression. The infinitive structure is usually followed by you'd think or a similar expression.
To see them, you'd think they were married. But they only met yesterday. To see him walk down the street, you'd never know he was blind.
To hear her talk, you'd think she was made ofmoney.
infinitives (14): other uses 292
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