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Latest post Wed, Sep 21 2005 7:05 AM by CalifJim. 2 replies.
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Coachpotato  +  139699 Tue, 20 Sep 05 11:53 AM

It's not common for there to be so much rain in March.

I have seen this sentence in a book, can you tell me the meaning or function  of 'for' in it? Is it possible to say the sentence without for with no change of meaning?

Thanks a lot.

Joined on Wed, Jul 20 2005
Spain
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Savvysavz, 4 yr 49 days ago

'It's not common to get so much rain during the month of March' sounds better.

Savvy

CalifJim  +  140038 Wed, 21 Sep 05 07:05 AM
"for" is a complementizer.   It signals the subject of the non-finite clause.  "to" goes with "for".  As infinitive marker it signals the predicate of the non-finite clause.  The "for ... to ..." pattern is common after "it is/was/... (not)" + adjective.

It is important for you to study hard.  (you study hard > for you to study hard)
It was not possible for John to get tickets for the concert. (John gets tickets for the concert > for John to get tickets for the concert)
It is normal for there to be some residue on the machinery. (There is some residue on the machinery > for there to be some residue on the machinery)
It is important for there to be two guards on duty.  (There are two guards on duty > for there to be two guards on duty)

The "for" is required in these constructions.

CJ

Joined on Mon, Aug 2 2004
California
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