The Infinitive For-Phrase

The preposition for can introduce a construction consisting of a noun in the common case or a pronoun in the objective case and an infinitive. The construction may be called the "Infinitive For-Phrase".

It's time forus to go home.

The relation between the noun (or pronoun) and the infinitive is that of secondary subject (=doer) and secondary predicate (=action).

He bought a new car forhis wife to learn to drive. (=in order that his wife might learn to drive)

The infinitive has a doer of its own, expressed by the noun (or pronoun) and introduced by the preposition for:

I brought a chair for youto sit on. (=you'll sit) Cf.

I brought a chair to sit on. (I'll sit)

The noun (or pronoun) and the infinitive are closely connected and form one complex part of the sentence. The construction has various functions in the sentence.

1) The "Infinitive For-Phrase" can be used as a subject, which is introduced by "preparatory (introductory, anticipatory)" it.

The doctor says it may be necessary for me to have an operation.

We've enjoyed the evening, but it's time for us to go.

2) The for-phrase used after a link verb is a predicative:

That is for me to decide, isn't it?

The infinitive for-phrase can also be used as:

2) an object:

How long have you been waiting for the train to arrive?

She is anxious for her daughter to win the competition.

4) an attribute:

There is an urgent need for someone to tackle this problem.

Here is a chair for you to sit on.

5) an adverbial modifier of:

a) purpose:

He stepped aside for me to pass.

b) result:

Is the water hot enough for me to take a bath?

He must have had some bad news for him to be so quiet.

Thus, the construction the "Infinitive For-Phrase" consists of the preposition for, a noun in the common case or a pronoun in the objective case and an infinitive. The action of the infinitive has a doer of its own expressed by that noun (or pronoun). The syntactical functions of the construction are those of a subject, a predicative, an object, an attribute, an adverbial modifier.

Date: 2015-04-20; view: 1429