A difficult sentence [for what, on the face of it]

Question

"Getting a new dog turned out to be more difficult than we thought, and for reasons rooted deep in the nature of our family. For what, on the face of it, could have been easier to find puppy once it had been decided 'Jock needs a companion, otherwise he'll spend his time with those dirty kaffir dogs in the compound' "

Sentece is confusing. First of all "and for reasons" part is confusing because either "and" is requireless - I think so because "for reasons" explains why getting a new dog became difficult- or after "and for this reasons" there should be a clause.

Secondly "For what" and "on the face of it" are difficult the understand. Can you simplify this part?

Thank you.

AlpheccaStars · Accepted Answer

Why did you cite your source http://forum.wordreference.com/threads/for-reasons-rooted-deep-in-the-nature-of-our-family.3215770/ and not on English Forums?

Hhtt · Answer

AlpheccaStarsWhy did you cite your source here and not on English Forums?

I sometimes in a hurry for a break.

Source: More Modern Short Stories by Peter JW Taylor

Mister Micawber · Answer

hhttI sometimes in a hurry for a break.

You have also been asked in the past to contain related questions within the same thread.

Hhtt · Answer

hhttFor what, on the face of it, could have been easier to find puppy once it had been decided 'Jock needs a companion, otherwise he'll spend his time with those dirty kaffir dogs in the compound' "

hhttSecondly "For what" and "on the face of it" are difficult the understand. Can you simplify this part?

Misterchief:you have also been asked in the past to contain related questions within the same thread.

But they are focused on very different things and I ask especially about part of " For what, on the face of it, could have been easier to find puppy once it had been decided 'Jock needs a companion, otherwise he'll spend his time with those dirty kaffir dogs in the compound' "

Source: More Modern Short Stories by Peter J W Taylor

https://books.google.com.tr/books?id=hUnYAwAAQBAJ&pg=PA616&dq=%22+For+what,+on+the+face+of+it,+have+been%22&hl=tr&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjp84zi57zOAhXOKCwKHUFrA2kQ6AEIGjAA#v=onepage&q=%22%20For%20what%2C%20on%20the%20face%20of%20it%2C%20could%20have%20been%22&f=false

Thank you.

Mister Micawber · Answer

hhttBut they are focused on very different things

If you think that there is a chance it is the same theme or context, keep to the same thread.

Khoff · Answer

hhttFor what, on the face of it, could have been easier to find puppy

I think this sentence is missing a "than." It could be either "For what could have been easier than to find a puppy . . . " or "For what could have been easier to find than a puppy. . . "

hhtt"Getting a new dog turned out to be more difficult than we thought, and for reasons rooted deep in the nature of our family

I'd say the "and" is optional. (By "requireless," do you mean "not required"?)

You can think of it as "for reasons (which were) rooted deep in the nature of our family.

I

CalifJim · Answer

Getting a new dog turned out to be more difficult than we thought, and [it was difficult] for reasons [which were] rooted deep in the nature of our family. For what, [on the face of it ~ at first glance ~ to all appearances ~ just by looking], could have been easier than to find puppy once it had been decided 'Jock needs a companion, otherwise he'll spend his time with those dirty kaffir dogs in the compound'(?)

It's a rhetorical question.
What could have been easier? ~ Nothing could have been easier.

hhttafter "and for this reasons" there should be a clause.

There is a clause, but it has been reduced by deleting "which were".

Note that the reasons are not explicitly given, but only characterized as certain kinds of reasons.

CJ

Hhtt · Answer

CalifJimFor what, [on the face of it ~ at first glance ~ to all appearances ~ just by looking], could have been easier than to find puppy once it had been decided 'Jock needs a companion, otherwise he'll spend his time with those dirty kaffir dogs in the compound'(?)It's a rhetorical question.What could have been easier? ~ Nothing could have been easier

First thank you for your expanded and clear explanation with paranthesises and equivalent expressions.

What is the role of "for" here? Would you like to explain it? What is explained with "for" here?

Thank you.

AlpheccaStars · Answer

For is a coordinating conjunction. It connects this sentence with the previous sentence.
The author could have easily used "and" or "but" or omitted it entirely. But if you omit it, the sentence loses the logical sense of connection (or contrast) with the previous idea.

But/And/For what, on the face of it, could have been easier to find puppy once it had been decided 'Jock needs a companion, otherwise he'll spend his time with those dirty kaffir dogs in the compound' "

Hhtt · Answer

AlpheccaStarsFor is a coordinating conjunction. It connects this sentence with the previous sentence.

Can we understand these sentences as "For nothing could have been easier than to find a puppy once it had been decided, getting a new dog turned out to be more difficult than we thought." ?

Thank you.

A difficult sentence [for what, on the face of it]

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