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Anonymous Posted 14 years ago
Grammar

"Of" versus "For"

Given the two sentences below could someone briefly explain to me why one way is considered correct and not the other? What is the difference I am just not seeing? I have heard many people say "It is rude of children..."


"It is very kind of you to help me." Correct

"It is very kind for you to help me." Incorrect


"It is rude for children to stare at others in the street." Correct

"It is rude of children to stare at others in the street." Incorrect


Thanks for any help you can give me.
  

Top answer

Great question! It's a real puzzler. My best guess at the moment is that in one case we're describing the act itself in general, and in the other case we're talking about a quality of the person who performs the act.

— Avangi

  • Great question!
  • It's a real puzzler.
  • My best guess at the moment is that in one case we're describing the act itself in general, and in the other case we're talking about a quality of the person who performs the act.
  • "
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1 Answers
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Great question! It's a real puzzler.

My best guess at the moment is that in one case we're describing the act itself in general, and in the other case we're talking about a quality of the person who performs the act.

To my ear, it's correct to say, "It was rude of you to stare at that man."
And, "It would be very kind for someone to help that poor lady across the street."
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