structure · neutral

for + somebody + to + V

Band 7+speakingtask2

Use 'for + somebody + to + V' to show who performs an action when the infinitive phrase is not the subject; common after adjectives and 'it is'.

Examples

“It is difficult for students to find affordable housing.”

“For teenagers to get part-time work while studying is common nowadays.”

“It was important for her to explain the situation.”

Band 8 sentence

“For many young people in big cities today, it is increasingly difficult for them to save money for a deposit on a flat.”

Collocations

  • be difficult for + somebody + to + V
  • be important for + somebody + to + V

Word family

For + noun phrase + to + V (structure) structureIt + be + adjective + for + somebody + to + V structure

Common mistakes

It is important students to learn time management.→It is important for students to learn time management.

Students to understand the rules is necessary.→For students to understand the rules is necessary.

Say it for a higher band

5To + V (as subject)→6It is + adjective + [noun] + to + V (missing 'for')→7+for + somebody + to + V

Synonyms

that + clause

Easily confused

To + V (as subject)

“To travel around the world is my dream.”

Related words

look forward to + V-ingtry + V-ing / try to + Vavoid + V-ingbe likely to + Vbegin / start + V-ing / to + Vprevent + somebody + from + V-ingturn out + to + Vas well as + V-ing

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In Gerunds & infinitives

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