Page 104 - Basic English Usage
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131 for: purpose
We use for before a noun to talk about a purpose, or reason for doing
something.
We went to the pub foradrink. — | went to London for an interview.
We do not use for before a verb to talk about purpose.
! went to the pub to have a drink. (NOT ... ferfte}have-adrint-)
! went to London to see about a job.
We can use for ... -ing to talk about the purpose of a thing — the
reason why we use it.
We use an altimeter for measuring height.
‘What's that stuff for?’ ‘Cleaning leather.’
132 for + object + infinitive
We use this structure after certain adjectives. Some common examples
are: usual, unusual, common, normal, rare, important, essential,
necessary, unnecessary, anxious, delighted.
+
| adjective + for object + fo-infinitive
Is it usual for John to be so late?
[t's unusual for the weather to be bad in July.
It's important for the meeting to start at eight.
it’s unnecessary for all of us to go — one will be enough.
I'm anxious for Peter to go to a good school. (=! wanthimtogo ...)
I'd be delighted for you to come and stay with us.
We could often use a that-clause instead (for example: /t’s important that
the meeting should start at eight). A that-clause is usually more formal.
We use a for-structure after too (see 348.1) and enough (see 113.3).
It's too heavy for you to lift.
It's warm enough for the snow to melt.
We can use the same structure after some nouns. Examples: idea, time.
His idea is for us to travel in separate cars
It's time for everybody to go fo bed
Common verbs that are followed by for + object + infinitive: ask, hope,
arrange, pay, wait, take (time).
She asked for the car to be ready by five o clock.
! was hoping for somebody to come and help me.
Can you arrange for the car to be ready this evening?
He paid for her to see the best doctors.
!'m waiting for it to get dark.
It takes five days for a letter to go from London to New York.