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Anonymous Posted 15 years ago
Grammar

'for + ing' vs. 'to + infinitive'

Hi, is there a rule about when to use 'for + ing' or 'to + infinitve'?

e.g. it's ok to say

I came to England to study
but not

I came to England for studying

but we can say

Earphones are used to listen to music

or

Earphones are used for listening to music

My French students want to translate 'pour' every time with 'for + ing' which doesn't work every time in English. How can I explain the difference.

Thanks
  

Top answer

Unfortunately, it is idiosyncratic to each verb/adjective, so you will have to learn each collocation. Some verbs/adjectives take one form, some the other, some both, and some neither: Come to study Use(d) for studying / to study Effective for studying Get studying Get to study (different meaning) Make study

— Mister Micawber

  • Unfortunately, it is idiosyncratic to each verb/adjective, so you will have to learn each collocation.
  • Some verbs/adjectives take one form, some the other, some both, and some neither: Come to study Use(d) for studying / to study Effective for studying Get studying Get to study (different meaning) Make study
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1 Answers
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Unfortunately, it is idiosyncratic to each verb/adjective, so you will have to learn each collocation. Some verbs/adjectives take one form, some the other, some both, and some neither:

Come to study

Use(d) for studying / to study

Effective for studying

Get studying

Get to study (different meaning)

Make study
0

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