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Blackcheetah Posted 12 years ago
Grammar

Can these "for"s be omitted?

monitor: (vt.)to test or sample on a regular or ongoing basis.

1. The EPA required all public water systems to monitor for 16 inorganic and 54 organic contaminants.

2. Currently, the state requires water systems to test for 126 chemicals.

Can the two "for"s be omitted? thanks for your reply.
  

Top answer

blackcheetah Can the two "for"s be omitted? No, because with 'for' the chemicals/contaminants may not be present at all.

— Mister Micawber

  • blackcheetah Can the two "for"s be omitted?
  • No, because with 'for' the chemicals/contaminants may not be present at all.
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5 Answers
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blackcheetahCan the two "for"s be omitted?
No, because with 'for' the chemicals/contaminants may not be present at all.
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"test for 126 chemicals" means check to see whether those chemicals are present, and at what levels. "test 126 chemicals" would mean that you have samples of 126 chemicals and you perform tests on them.

The difference is not quite so obvious in sentence (1), which might would be understood to mean roughly the same even if "for" was deleted. Nevertheless I think it is better to include it.
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Thank you, Mr. Micawber. Another example: To monitor the city‘s drinking water for impurities. Can it be written as "To monitor impurities in the city‘s drinking water" or "To monitor for impurities in the city‘s drinking water".
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Thanks a lot for your kindness. I 've got it with your help.
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blackcheetahAnother example: To monitor the city‘s drinking water for impurities. Can it be written as "To monitor impurities in the city‘s drinking water" or "To monitor for impurities in the city‘s drinking water".
The same argument applies.
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