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Yerevan State Linguistic University after v. Brusov

Course Paper

Functional Peculiarities and the Use of For+to+Infinitive

Construction in English

Faculty: Foreign Languages

Year 3, group 5, Linguistics

Student: Armine Hovakimyan

Supervisor: N. Gasparyan

Yerevan 2013
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Contents

1. Introduction ------------------------------------------------------ 2

2. The Functional Peculiarities and the Use of the

For+to-Infinitive Construction ------------------------------- 4

3. Conclusion ------------------------------------------------------- 14

4. References -------------------------------------------------------- 16

 
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Introduction

It is well known that the words of every language fall into classes which are called
parts of speech. Each part of speech has its own characteristics. The parts of speech differ
from each other in meaning, in form and in function. One of the parts of speech is the
Verb. The English Verbs can be divided into two main groups, according to the function
they perform in the sentence – the finite forms and non-finite forms.

The finite forms have the function of the predicate in the sentence and may also be called
the predicate forms. They have all grammatical forms such as number, person, tense,
voice, aspect and mood.

The non-finite or non-predicative forms lack some grammatical forms peculiar to the
finite forms. Therefore they cannot be used as the predicate of a sentence. These forms
are often called verbals. Like the finite forms of the verbs the verbals or non-finite forms
have tense and voice distinctions, but their tense distinctions differ from those of the
finite verb.

There are three verbals in English: the Participle (Participle 1 and Participle 2), the
Gerund, and the Infinitive.

All non-finite verb forms may participate in the so-called predicative constructions, that
is, two-component syntactical units where a noun or a pronoun and a non-finite verb form
are in predicative relations similar to those of the subject and the predicate.

The infinitive can make predicative constructions, which are the following: objective
predicative construction, subjective predicative construction, absolute predicative
construction, the for-to-infinitive construction. Any predicative construction is used to
simplify a compound or a complex sentence.

The term-paper consists of introduction, main part, conclusion and references. In

introduction we strongly detach the subject of our work, that is, the For+to-Infinitive
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Construction and specify its importance and use in terms of grammar and especially
verbals.

In the main part we mostly speak about the formation, definition, functions of the above-
mentioned construction, as well as have the practical analysis of the use and peculiarities
of the construction in literature.

In conclusion we summarize the whole work and come to certain conclusions.

In references we give the list of literature by the help of which the research was carried
out.
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The Functional Peculiarities and the Use of the For+to-Infinitive Construction

As we have already mentioned all non-finite verb forms may participate in the so-
called predicative constructions, that is, two-component syntactical units where a noun or
a pronoun and a non-finite verb form are in predicative relations similar to those of the
subject and the predicate: [Н. А. Кобрина 1999:85]

E.g. The baby was found sitting on the floor. (Maugham 210)

Roger have arranged for you to have a private room. (Maugham 98)

Tom saw him drop the cup. (Maugham 89)

Being a verbal the infinitive can make predicative constructions which are the following:

1. Objective predicative Construction

2. Subjective predicative Construction

3. The Absolute Infinitive Construction

4. The For-to-infinitive Construction

Any predicative construction is one of the means to simplify a complex or a compound

sentence and make it compact. Any predicative construction is a 2-member construction
consisting of a nominal part of speech and the verbal element. The nominal element
should be expressed by any form of the infinitive (active, passive, perfect, non-perfect,
continuous, non -continuous). In all these constructions the infinitive denotes an action
stated to the person or non-person, though grammatically this relationship is not
expressed in form

The Objective-with-the-Infinitive Construction is a construction in which the infinitive is

in predicate relation to a noun in the common case or pronoun in the objective case. In
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the sentence this construction has the function of a Complex object: [E.A. Natanson
1973:91]

E.g. I saw him back the car into the garage. (Maugham 81)

The Subjective-with-the-Infinitive Construction traditionally called the Nominative-with-

the-Infinitive Construction is construction in which the infinitive is in predicate relation
to a noun in the common case or pronoun in the nominative case. The peculiarity of this
construction is that it does not serve as one part of the sentence. One of its component
parts has the function of the subject, the other forms part of a compound verbal predicate.
The construction is used to simplify a complex or a compound sentence. [E.A. Natanson
1973:93]

E.g. She was seen to leave the house. (Maugham 53)

The infinitive may also have a subject of its own with which it forms the so-called
Absolute Construction with the Infinitive. This construction is introduced by the
preposition “with”. The infinitive is used with the particle “to”. The Absolute
Construction with the Infinitive has the function of adverbial modifier of attending
circumstances in the sentence. [Н. А. Кобрина 1999:293]

E.g. He was slowly coming to us, with his hands up. (Maugham 102)

There are two parallel actions in this sentence. One of them in expressed by the predicate,
the other-by the Infinitive. Each action has its own subject. The infinitive Absolute
Construction is infrequent and found only in literary style.

The For+to-Infinitive Construction is a construction in which the Infinitive is in

predicate relation to a noun or pronoun preceded by the preposition “for”. [S.Azizyan
2008:53].

E.g. It will be best for her to go back home. (Maugham 34)

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There are a lot of explanations and definitions of the for+to-infinitive construction.

Just let us mention some of them. The for+to-Infinitive Construction is a construction in
which the infinitive is in predicate relation to a noun or pronoun preceded by the
preposition “for”.[S.Azizyan 2008:53].The for-phrase consists of three elements: The
preposition for, a noun in the common case or a pronoun in the objective case and an
infinitive, mostly in its indefinite, passive or continuous form. The whole infinitive
construction of this type is traditionally called the “for-to infinitive phrase”.[ В.Л.
Каушанская 1973:65]. It is used to express wishes, suggestions, plans for the future, to
give personal reaction to the situation. In a number of cases the preposition for introduces
a construction of a nominal element followed by an infinitive. In the for-to-infinitive
construction the infinitive is in predicate relation to a noun in the common case or a
pronoun in the objective case introduced by the preposition for. The construction is used
where the doer of the action, expressed by the infinitive, is different from that of the finite
verb (predicate). [ Н. А. Кобрина 1999:86]

The construction For+to-Infinitive is used to express wishes, suggestions, plans for the
future, to give personal reaction to the situation.

E.g. But it wouldn’t be so easy for him to take Avice about. (Maugham 33)

It should be noted that Predicative Constructions are the constructions consisting of two
elements: a nominal (noun and pronoun) and verbal (Participle, Gerund or Infinitive).
The verbal element stands in predicate relation to the nominate element, that is to say in a
relation similar to that between the subject and the predicate of the sentence.

The nominal element is usually expressed by

1. Noun

a) common noun in common case such as: a driver, a woman, etc.

E.g. It was unusual for a woman to be seen smoking. (Maugham 97)

b) a proper noun in common case such as: Roger, Michael etc.

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E.g. She was waiting for Roger and Tom to come home. (Maugham 189)

The ironic philosopher reflects with a smile that Sir Walter Raleigh is more safely
enshrined in the memory of mankind because he set his cloak for the Virgin Queen
to walk on than because he carried the English name to undiscovered countries.

(Maugham 27)
2. Pronoun

a) personal in the objective case such as: me, you, him, her, it, us etc.

E.g. I solaced myself by thinking that it would be useful for me to find out what I could
about Strickland’s state of mind. (Maugham 9)

Colonel MacAndrew had not exaggerated when he said she would be penniless, and
it was necessary for her to earn her living as quickly as she could. (Maugham 48)

b) indefinite

E.g. He’d told her he was looking out for someone to paint him. (Maugham 137)

c) absolute indefinite

E.g. Is it possible for any man to disregard others entirely? (Maugham 122)

d) demonstrative

E.g. I waited for that to be done. (Maugham 139)

3. Numeral

a) cardinal such as: the two, the five etc.

E.g. I was waiting for the two to tell the truth. (Maugham 124)

b) ordinal such as: the second, the third etc.

E.g. The policeman was waiting for the second to tell the truth. (Maugham 120)
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4. Substantivized Adjective or Participle 2 such as: the young, the wounded, the adult,
the poor etc.

E.g. It would be better for the young to take interest even in the famous parts of our
history. (Maugham 98)

The verbal element can be expressed by any form of the infinitive: active, passive,
continuous, non-continuous, perfect, non-perfect.

E.g. Tall and extremely stout, she would have been of imposing presence if the great
good nature of her face had not made it impossible for her to express anything but
kindliness. (Maugham 210)

At last we were all assembled, waiting for dinner to be announced. (Maugham175)

The for+to-infinitive construction has the same functions as a single infinitive, though
with some restrictions. If a subjective predicative construction is used only in a constant
function of a complex subject, an objective construction of a complex subject, for+to-
infinitive construction is used in different functions of a:

1. Subject. The for-to-infinitive construction in the function of the subject usually occurs
in the sentences with the introductory it, though it is occasionally placed at the head of
the sentence:

E.g. He was looking at her with twinkling eyes and it was difficult for her not to

burst out. (Maugham 46)

She was an old lady, well our seventy, and Julia knew that it would be a great

joy for her to have her daughter on a long visit. (Maugham 63)
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For me to hear him was disturbing. (Maugham 17)

2. Predicative. In this function the construction is mostly used with the link verb to be.

E.g. The best thing is for you to do it now. (Maugham 204)

That is not for me to decide. (Maugham 24)

What it all means remains for an expert to say. (Maugham 76)

3. Complex object. The construction functions as object of both verbs and adjectives:

E.g. She saw that he was anxious for her to make a good impression.
(Maugham214)

Finally, it occurred to me that I would call as though nothing had happened, and
send a message in by the mind asking Mrs. Strickland if it was convenient for her
to see me. (Maugham 125)

4. Attribute

E.g. There is nobody here for him to play with. (Maugham 119)

The doctor recovered himself, but required quite an effort for him to find his
voice. (Maugham 58)

5. Adverbial modifier of

a) purpose

E.g. He took the framed drawing off the wall and brought it for her to look at under

the light. (Maugham 41)

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Mary gave him his black Homburg hat and opened the door for her Julia and
Michael to go out. (Maugham 218)

b) result

E.g. It was seldom warm enough for her to leave off the little black tricot that she

crocheted herself. (Maugham 181)

I was young enough for them not to feel shy, and they chattered merrily about one
thing and another. (Maugham 92)

He had consented, and it was too late for him now to recede. (Maugham 102)

It is supposed that for+to-infinitive construction is one of those which is more

frequently used. The construction for+to-infinitive is used after certain nouns and
pronouns, adjectives, adverbs of degree. Besides it can be found in the impersonal
sentences or just used with certain expressions etc. Let us go into detail and discuss each
case of its use. So the construction for+to-infinitive is used after

1. Certain nouns such as: aim, plan, time, mistake, a joy, hobby, reason,
opportunity, idea etc.

E.g. The spring passed into summer, and at the end of July it was time for Julia to go to
Paris and see about her clothes. (Maugham 18)

It seemed a good opportunity for Julia to get away. (Maugham 35)

2. Verbs used with preposition “for” such as: to wait, to motion, to bring etc.

E.g. When at last we were all assembled, waiting for the dinner to be announced, I
reflected, while I chatted with the woman I had been asked to “take in”.

(Maugham 8)
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He sat on the sofa waiting for her to wake up. (Maugham 4)

3. Indefinite pronouns such as: everything, something, anything etc.

E.g. There is not anything for you to trouble about. (Maugham 12)

4. Negative pronouns such as: no one, none of them, nothing, neither of them etc.

E.g. There is nobody here for him to play with. (Maugham 95)

There is nothing for you to be sorry. (Maugham 108)

5. Certain adjectives such as: anxious, difficult, possible, necessary, impossible,

unusual, comfortable, dreadful, nice, inevitable, easy etc.

E.g. It is so nice for Roger to have somebody like Tom to go about with.
(Maugham 34)

She saw that he was anxious for her to make a good impression. (Maugham 47)

They talked so much together that it was inevitable for her at last to learn his
views on marriage. (Maugham 29)

6. Adjectives in the positive and comparative degrees such as: more sensible, better,
more useful etc.

E.g. It will be better for him to have someone to play around with. (Maugham 15)

7. Adverbs of degree “too” and “enough”

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E.g. He was well enough known in the theatrical world for her to be flattered by the
compliments he paid her, and when he asked her to lunch with him next to day she
accepted. (Maugham 51)

An actress out of a job had only to tell him to his face that he was too handsome to
be true for him to think that she might do for a pat he had in mind. (Maugham 37)

8. Expressions such as: there is, are, was, were, will be etc.

E.g. Youth naturally appealed to youth and she told herself the there was no reason for
her to feel anxious if for a few days the two of them were so wrapped up in one
another that Tom had no thought for her. (Maugham 82)

There were plenty of papers for him to read, but he left them alone.(Maugham 19)

9. Impersonal sentence such as: it is not etc.

E.g. It is not for her to lie anybody. (Maugham 64)

It is not for her to live in such conditions. (Maugham 23)

So, the construction For+to-Infinitive is used after:

1. Certain nouns such as: aim, plan, time, mistake, a joy, hobby, reason, opportunity,
idea etc.

2. Verbs used with preposition “for” such as: to wait, to motion, to bring etc.

3. Indefinite pronouns such as: everything, something, anything etc.

4. Negative pronouns such as: no one, none of them, nothing, neither of them etc.

5. Certain adjectives such as: anxious, difficult, possible, necessary, impossible, unusual,
comfortable, dreadful, nice, inevitable, easy etc.
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6. Adjectives in the positive and comparative degrees such as: more sensible, better,
more useful etc.

7. Adverbs of degree “too” and “enough”

8. Expressions such as: there is, are, was, were, will be etc.

9. Impersonal sentence such as: it is not etc.

Thus, we can sum up and claim that For+to-Infinitive Construction is a widely used one,
the members of which are nominal and verbal, the former being introduced by lots of
nominative parts of speech, the latter-by the Infinitive.

 
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Conclusion

Having thoroughly examined most of the cases with the For+to-Infinitive Construction
we have come to the following conclusions:

1. For+to-Infinitive is a unique one as it is used in literature and have different uses,

functions and thus meanings.

2. In a number of cases the preposition “for” introduces a construction of a nominal

element followed by an infinitive. In the For+to-Infinitive construction the infinitive
(usually an infinitive phrase) is in predicate relation to a noun in the common case or the
pronoun in the objective case, introduced by the preposition “for”. The construction is
used where the doer of the action (or the bearer of the state) expressed by the infinitive, is
different from that of the finite verb (the predicate).

3. As a rule, in For+to-Infinitive constructions

The nominal element can be expressed by

• noun (common noun in common case, proper noun in common case, indefinite
pronoun, absolute indefinite pronoun or demonstrative pronoun)

• pronoun (personal in the objective case or indefinite pronouns)

• numeral (cardinal or ordinal)

• substantivized adjective or participle 2

The verbal element can be expressed by any form of the infinitive: active, passive,
continuous (progressive), non-continuous (non-progressive), perfect, non-perfect.

4. As a result of analysis we have come to a conclusion that in the sentences taken from
literature the For+to-Infinitive construction is used in different functions of a:
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• Subject

• Predicative

• Complex object

• Attribute

• Adverbial modifier of purpose

• Adverbial modifier of result

Among 15 sentences we have found there are 3 sentences with the subject expressed by
for+to-infinitive, 3 sentences with predicative, 2 sentences with complex object, 2
sentences with attribute, 2 sentences with the adverbial modifier of purpose and 3
sentences with the adverbial modifier of result. The most frequently used function in the
books is the subject. The most rarely used function is the adverbial modifier of purpose.

5. The construction For+to-Infinitive is used variously after:

• Certain nouns such as: aim, plan, time, mistake, a joy, hobby, reason, opportunity,
idea etc.

• Verbs used with preposition “for” such as: to wait, to motion, to bring etc.

• Indefinite pronouns such as: everything, something, anything etc.

• Negative pronouns such as: no one, none of them, nothing, neither of them etc.

• Certain adjectives such as: anxious, difficult, possible, necessary, impossible,

unusual, comfortable, dreadful, nice, inevitable, easy etc.

• Adjectives in the positive and comparative degrees such as: more sensible, better,
more useful etc.

• Adverbs of degree “too” and “enough”

• Expressions such as: there is, are, was, were, will be etc.

• Impersonal sentence such as: it is not etc.

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References
1. A.Apresyan, R.Badalyan, N.Gasparyan, 2010 - “ How to write a research paper”

2. E.M. Arzumanyan, 2007 - English Grammar Syntax, Yerevan

3. S.Azizyan, 2008 - “Verbals. Non-Finite Forms of the Verb”. Yerevan, Noyan Tapan

4. M.Y. Blokh, 1983 - “ A course in English Theoretical Grammar ”

5. E.M.Gordon, 1986 - “ A Grammar of Present-day of English (Parts of Speech)”, 3rd

edition , Moscow

6. E.A. Natanson, 1973 - “Practical English Grammar by Correspondence ” Moscow

7. A.J. Thomson, 1986 - “A Practical English Grammar ” 4th addition, Oxford

University Press

8. В.Л. Каушанская, 1973 - "Грамматика Английского Языка" (на английском

языке) 4-ое издание, Ленинград , Издательство "Просвещение "

9. Н. А. Кобрина, 1999 - Е. А. Корнеева, М. И. Оссовская, К. А. Гузеева:

ГРАММАТИКА АНГЛИЙСКОГО ЯЗЫКА Морфология. Синтаксис СОЮЗ С.-
Петербург

Literary sources
W.S. Maugham (2001) - “Theatre”

W.S. Maugham (2005) - “ The Moon and Sixpence”

Internet sources
1. http://www.study.ru/support/handbook/verb16.html

2. http://ocelot.nnz-home.net/english/index.php/grammar/nff/inf/68-the-for-to-infinitive-
construction

3. http://study-english.info/infinitive-constructions.php

4. http://study-english.info/for-to-infinitive.php
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5.http://robotlibrary.com/book/38-grammatika-anglijskogo-yazyka-morfologiya-
sintaksis/142-the-subjective-predicative-constructions.html

6. http://engblog.ru/absolute-infinitive-turn

7.http://robotlibrary.com/book/38-grammatika-anglijskogo-yazyka-morfologiya-
sintaksis/26-the-objective-with-the-infinitive-construction.html