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Fire1 Posted 6 years ago
Grammar

Left to/for someone to do

?1. There is only a little time left to me to solve the problem.
2. There is only a little time left for me to solve the problem.
(I made both examples)

I'm asking this question because I'm not sure which structure is correct. To me, "left to me to solve" and "left for me to solve" seem to be all correct.
What is the difference in meaning and what is correct English?

3. "which is generally left to individuals to pursue or ignore" (excerpted from the writing below)

the latest reports from a war zone—these are all examples of public knowledge that people are generally expected to know in order to be considered informed citizens. Thus, in contrast to personal or private knowledge, which is generally left to individuals to pursue or ignore, public knowledge is promoted even to those who might not think it matters to them. In short, the circulation of public knowledge, including the news, is generally regarded as a public good which cannot be solely demand-driven.

If 1 is correct, I would like to know whether sentence 3 is correct English as well.

Should 3 be "which is generally left for individuals to pursue or ignore"?

As a side question, are both sentences A and B below correct?

?A. Only a little time is left to me to solve the problem.
B. Only a little time is left for me to solve the problem.

  

Top answer

fire1 What is the difference in meaning and what is correct English? There is no difference. 'left for me to' is used more often than 'left to me to', but both are correct.

  • fire1 What is the difference in meaning and what is correct English?
  • There is no difference.
  • 'left for me to' is used more often than 'left to me to', but both are correct.
  • Of course you can substitute whatever you like for 'me' as long as it makes sense.
  • CJ
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1 Answers
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fire1What is the difference in meaning and what is correct English?

There is no difference. 'left for me to' is used more often than 'left to me to', but both are correct.

Of course you can substitute whatever you like for 'me' as long as it makes sense.

CJ

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