For + gerund

Question

1) He was taken there for killing.Would this mean:a) He was taken there to kill.or:b) He was taken there to be killed.I suppose it could also mean:c) He was taken there because he had killed.Gratefully,Navi.

Teechr · Accepted Answer

navitasan1) He was taken there for killing.

That's not a natural sentence. Where did you find it?

Navitasan · Answer

Thank you very much, Teechr,

I made it up. I was trying to figure out how 'for+gerund" worked.

Gratefully,
Navi.

CalifJim · Answer

Under normal circumstances a) means b), but I think you want it to mean He was taken there to be a killer.

In any case, 1) can mean any of a), b), or c). This ambiguity may be the reason that the construction has to be used carefully, or not at all. The context must make it clear which meaning is intended.

Certain verbs naturally take a 'for' phrase, and these are usually the ones where you'll find the for + ing construction. Most, if not all, involve the concept of exchanging one thing for another. Or, looked at differently, the 'for' phrase gives a reason.

Thank you for helping me.
He was imprisoned for robbing a bank.
She slapped her husband for insulting her.

CJ

For + gerund

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