The for-to infinitive Construction

In the for-to-infinitive construction the infinitive (usually an infinitive phrase) 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 (or the bearer of the state), expressed by the infinitive, is different from that of the finite verb (the predicate):

The for-to-infinitive construction has the same functions as a single infinitive, though with some restrictions:

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

For me to hear him was disturbing.

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

The best thing is for you to do it now.

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

a) She watched for the door to open.

I don’t think I should care for it to be known.

b) His family were anxious for him to do something.

I’m so glad for you to have come at last.

4. Attribute:

There was no need for him to be economical.

5. Adverbial modifier of purpose and consequence:

She paused for him to continue.

The wall was too high for anything to be visible.

38. Present tenses to refer to the future and “be going to”

You cannot talk about the future with as much certainty as you can about the present or the past. You are usually talking about what you think might happen. There is no obvious future tense in English corresponding to the time / tense relation as for present and past. Instead there are several possibilities for denoting future time.

I. The Present Simpleis used to refer to the future:

1) in clauses of time and condition, e.g. after if, unless, in case, when, as soon as, until, before, etc.

Please wait here until I get back.

Note: we find will in subordinate clauses of condition if it expresses obstinate insistence, usually habitual

If you will keep your watch half an hour slow it is hardly surprising that you are late for your appointments.

2) in relative clauses after everything, anything, nothing, etc.

Everything that you say will be recorded.

3) in clauses of concession after whoever, whatever, etc.

You’ll do whatever I ask you to.

4) in object clauses after see, make sure, take care, necessary, important,etc.

See that the children behave well.

5) to refer to future events when the event is part of a fixed time-table, e.g. a travel time-table, a holiday itinerary, other organized events. The event or the timing of the event is fixed by some official body, organization or time-table

The flight leaves at 6 o’clock in the morning.

6) in statements about fixed dates

Tomorrow is Tuesday.

7) in some special questions

What do we do next?

Where do we go now?

II. The Present Continuousis used when you are talking about planned future actions.

What are you doing this evening?

The Present Continuous is usually more natural when you are talking about arrangements, especially if they are very definite arrangements in the near future. The Present Continuous is especially frequent with dynamic transitive verbs like arrive, come, drive, go, fly, land, leave, start, stop, etc. It is quite informal and is used to describe personal arrangements such as social activities rather than official plans. As it refers to personal arrangements, the subject of the verb should be a person or people and not a thing.

I’m meeting Charlotte for lunch tomorrow.

III. The ‘be going to’-future is used:

4) to express intention that the speaker had before the time of speaking

I’m going to visit Bob tomorrow.

5) to make a prediction based on present evidence

The sun’s going down. It’s going to be dark in half an hour.

6) to speak about planned future actions.

Contrast: ‘be going to’-future versus Present Continuous as future

1. When using ‘be going to’ we place more emphasis on the intention, and using Present Continuous we place more emphasis on the arrangements. We do not normally use the Present Continuous with activities that do not involve the making of arrangement or plan.

I’m going to write a letter tonight. (intention)

I’m writing a letter tonight. (no arrangement)

2. We do not use the Present Continuous to make a prediction based on present evidence.

3. We can only use the Present Continuous as future with a future time reference or where the future reference is clear from the context. Where this is not the case, we use the ‘be going to’-future.

He’s having a swim. (= now, no time reference)

He’s going to have a swim. (in the future)

4. Verbs not normally used in the continuous are not used in the Present Continuous as future. We can sometimes use such verbs in the continuous aspect with the ‘be going to’-future. This does not happen very often as these verbs do not describe events that we normally predict or intend. We can say:

I’m going to need help next week.