‘TO VERB’ VS ‘FOR VERB-ING’ https://gmatclub.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/To-verb-for-GC-e1355345463523.png Hi folks, Let the title of the article not confuse you. Read the following two sentences: 1. Joe wrote a book to share his experiences with others. 2. Joe got acclaims for writing the book. These are very easy simple sentences and so the usage of the highlighted phrases does not bother us. Fair enough. Now let’s reverse these phrase in the above two statements. https://e-gmat.com/blogs/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/Celebrating-Milestones1.png 1. Joe wrote a book for sharing his experiences with others. 2. Joe got acclaims to write the book. Now these sentences certainly strike you. You immediately tell yourself, “Hey, these don’t sound right.” Right? Don’t only trust your ears or instincts. Read on to know why they don’t get grammatical approval. REASON OUT We must understand the usage of “to verb” and “for verb” to be able to distinguish between the contexts where these phrases can be used correctly. Use of “to verb" – This phrase is used when we need to present the purpose or the intention of an action. This phrase is actually a shorter way of “writing” “in order to verb”. Let’s take the simple sentences with this phrase we mentioned in the beginning of the article. 1. Joe wrote a book to share his experiences with others.: This sentence correctly uses “to share” because it presents the purpose why Joe wrote the book. It is explicit from the context that Joe wrote the book because he wanted to share his experience with others. 2. Joe got acclaims to write the book.: This sentence does not use “to write” correctly because writing the book is certainly not the purpose of Joe getting acclaims. Use of “for verb-ing” – Since “for” is a preposition, it can modify either a noun or a verb. Prepositional phrase “for verb-ing” can modify the verb or the noun in that it denotes some relation to the entity it modifies. Let’s understand this through the previously mentioned simple sentences. 1. Joe got acclaims for writing the book.: This sentence correctly uses “for writing” because this prepositional phrase logically modifies the verb “got”. Here, there is no question of presenting any purpose. The sentence rather explains “what for” Joe got acclaims. Hence, use of “for writing” is correct. 2. Joe wrote a book for sharing his experiences with others.: This sentence incorrectly uses “for sharing” to denote Joe’s intention of writing the book. So, when the intention is explicit from the context of the sentence, then we must choose “to verb” over “for verb-ing”. Let’s see and evaluate the usages of these phrases in official examples. OFFICIAL EXAMPLES – TO VERB https://gmatclub.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/gmat2-banner11-e1373945998281.jpg EXAMPLE 1 Although this is not a heavily tested concept on GMAT, this is certainly one of those concepts that confuse a lot of test takers. In such questions, generally we can narrow down our selection to two choices – one having “to verb” and the other “for verb-ing”. For example: Warning that computers in the United States are not secure, the National Academy of Sciences has urged the nation to revamp computer security procedures, institute new emergency response teams, creating a special nongovernment organization to take charge of computer security planning. A. creating a special nongovernment organization to take B. creating a special nongovernment organization that takes C. creating a special nongovernment organization for taking D. and create a special nongovernment organization for taking E. and create a special nongovernment organization to take MEANING ANALYSIS: The NAS has warned that the US computers are not secure. Hence, they have urged the nation to do a few things. PoE: We are not doing the Error Analysis here because those errors do not encompass the topic of discussion of this write-up. After error analysis, we can narrow our choices to D and E. The only difference between these two choices is “for taking” and “to take”. So let’s analyze these choices: D. and create a special nongovernment organization for taking: From meaning analysis we know that the NAS has asked the US government to do a few things to secure its computers. One of these tasks is to create a special nongovernment organization. Now, per the context of the sentence, it is clear that taking charge of computer security planning is the purpose for creating this special nongovernment organization. Hence, purpose is explicit from the context. So this choice stands incorrect as it uses “for creating” instead of “to create”. E. and create a special nongovernment organization to take: This choice correctly expresses the purpose by using the correct phrase “to create”, and hence is the correct answer. EXAMPLE 2 The same usage can be seen in OG13#76. Combining enormous physical strength with higher intelligence, the Neanderthals appear as equipped for facing any obstacle the environment could put in their path, but their relatively sudden disappearance during the Paleolithic era indicates that an inability to adapt to some environmental change led to their extinction. https://e-gmat.com/blogs/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/FT-GC-FB-event-e1532524398949.jpg ERROR ANALYIS One of the errors in the sentence is the use of “for facing”. The context of the sentence tells us that the Neanderthals were equipped with the purpose of doing something. And what is this purpose? The purpose was facing any environmental obstacle. Since the purpose is explicit here, we should use “to face” and not “for facing” Following is the sentence with correct answer choice: Combining enormous physical strength with higher intelligence, the Neanderthals appear to have been equipped to face any obstacle the environment could put in their path, but their relatively sudden disappearance during the Paleolithic era indicates that an inability to adapt to some environmental change led to their extinction. This choice corrects that error and changes “for facing” to “to face” to correctly express the explicit purpose in the sentence. OFFICIAL EXAMPLES – FOR VERB-ING EXAMPLE 1 New genetic evidence - together with recent studies of elephants’ skeletons, tusks, and other anatomical features - provide compelling support for classifying Africa’s forest elephants and its savanna elephants as separate species. A. provide compelling support for classifying B. provide compelling support for the classification of C. provides compelling support to the classification of D. provides compelling support for classifying E. provides compelling support to classify MEANING ANALYSIS: The sentence says that New genetic evidence together with some other things provide compelling support. Support for what? Support for classifying Africa’s forest elephants and savanna elephants as separate species. PoE: Again, the error analysis helps us eliminate the first three choices for errors we are not discussing here. Again the only difference between D and E is “for classifying” and “to classify”. D. provides compelling support for classifying: Per the meaning, new genetic evidence provides support. Most certainly, the new genetic evidence does not have any purpose for providing such support. Rather we can ask what is this support for? This support is for doing something else. Hence this choice correctly uses “for classifying”. E. provides compelling support to classify: This choice is clearly incorrect because there cannot be any purpose here per the context of this sentence. P.S: Also, this sentence involves usage of correct idiom. “provide support or help” is always followed a preposition + Noun. Hence, choice E is incorrect idiomatically as well. EXAMPLE 2 There are many official problems in OG the study of which can be useful to understand the usage of “for verb-ing”. Although, the sentences that I’m going to talk about in this section do not necessarily test this usage, they are useful for understanding the correct usage of the phrase. https://gmatclub.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/gmat2-banner11-e1373945998281.jpg Let’s take a look at OG12#40: This is the sentence with the correct answer choice as the topic of discussion is not tested in this question: Dr. Tonegawa won the Nobel Prize for discovering how the body can constantly change its genes to fashion a seemingly unlimited number of antibodies, each targeted specifically at an invading microbe or foreign substance. This sentence correctly uses “for discovering” because Dr. Tonegawa won the Nobel prize for something. If we change “for discovering” to “to discover”, the meaning will be distorted. There is no purpose involved in this sentence and hence “for discovering…” clearly answer what for Dr. Tonegawa won the Nobel Prize. https://gmatclub.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/TA-e1355335350197.png OG QUESTIONS YOU CAN STUDY FOR CORRECT USAGE Apply these rule sets to the following OG questions. OG 12# 51, 106 OG Verbal Review 2# 5, 8, EXERCISE QUESTION While some propose to combat widespread illegal copying of computer programs by attempting to change people's attitudes toward pirating, others by suggesting reducing software prices to decrease the incentive for pirating, and still others by calling for the prosecution of those who copy software illegally. (OG 10) A) by suggesting reducing software prices to decrease the incentive for pirating, and still others by calling B) by suggesting the reduction of software prices to decrease the incentive for pirating, and still others call C) suggest the reduction of software prices for decreasing the incentive for pirating, and still others call D) suggest the reduction of software prices to decrease the incentive for pirating, and still others by calling E) suggest reducing software prices to decrease the incentive for pirating, and still others are calling Hope this helps. Thanks. Shraddha

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TO VERB VS FOR VERB-ING

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drebellion

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08 Nov 2014, 16:01

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Hi E-GMAT,
This SC question does not seem to follow the "rules" outlined in the article. Can you please help me to understand.
Source GMAT Prep, Question Pack 1.

Responding to the public's fascination with-and sometimes undue alarm over-possible threats from asteroids, a scale developed by astronomers rates the likelihood that a particular asteroid or comet may collide with Earth.

A. a scale developed by astronomers rates the likelihood that a particular asteroid or comet may
B. a scale that astronomers have developed rates how likely it is for a particular asteroid or comet to
C. astronomers have developed a scale to rate how likely a particular asteroid or comet will be to
D. astronomers have developed a scale for rating the likelihood that a particular asteroid or comet will
E. astronomers have developed a scale that rates the likelihood of a particular asteroid or comet that may.

They way I did it wrong, following the article.
'Responding to the public's fascination' can only modify astronomers -> A and B are out
When the astronomers were responding to the 'public's fascination...' of course their intention/aim was "to develop" a device TO RATE likelihood... - use of TO RATE is implied by original sentence.
=> C seems OK, D is out.
Use of "likelihood" and "may" is redundant => E is out.

DR

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egmat

How would you solve this based on above article ?

Combining enormous physical strength with higher intelligence, the Neanderthals appear as equipped for facing any obstacle the environment could out in their path, but their relatively sudden disappearance during the Paleolithic era indicates that an inability to adapt to some environmental change led to their extinction.

a. appear as equipped for facing any obstacle the environment could put in their path,
b. appear as equipped to face any obstacle the environment could put in their paths,

Nevernevergiveup

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10 Oct 2015, 09:46

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Controversial mortgage laws passed last year state that, if at any point during the maturation period of the loan the person in whose name it is taken is not able to meet the payments, that person’s spouse will have responsibilities that include paying the balance.

will have responsibilities that include
will be responsible to pay
is responsible to pay
will be responsible for paying
is responsible for paying

Please explain the difference between B and D.

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Mechmeera

will have responsibilities that include
will be responsible to pay
is responsible to pay
will be responsible for paying
is responsible for paying

Please explain the difference between B and D.

Mechmeera
This is not a typical to+verb vs for+verbing split. This split is usually tested to display purpose of some action.(See below)

here the idiom that is tested is responsible to someone for something. So D is correct. You can say:

A is responsible to B for paying the balance.
or simply

A is responsible for paying the balance.

Therefore D is correct.

In general, when it comes to show the purpose, to + verb is used when someone or some entity is actively involved to do something. for+verbing is used to show the passive purpose or use of something as is used in the scale problem above. When you say a scale for rating a likelihood. Scale is not actively rating the likelihood. Rating the likelihood is just a passive purpose or use of the scale.

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12 Oct 2016, 21:41

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Hi Neeti,

I have one query which i want to clarify : to + verb are actually verbs or not ??
In the example,
In three months, biologist Glauco Machado gathered enough information about large numbers of a relatively unstudied order of arachnids to persuade an ant specialist at the university to advise him and to publish his first scientific paper.

I got confused whether gathered is the verb or to persuade is the verb ??
gathered - for me is surely not a verb-ed modifier because Glauco is the one doing the action of gathering info.

Kindly help!!!

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22 Nov 2016, 08:25

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in C
I think that
reduction for decreasing
is correct

C is wrong because "reduction of prices" should be "reduction in prices".

Richak91

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egmat

Hi folks,

Found an interesting question that tests the knowledge of this topic here. Try it out and post your analysis.

Scientists claim that the discovery of the first authenticated mammal bones in amber could provide important clues of determining, in addition to how, when mammals colonized the islands of the West Indies.

A: of determining, in addition to how, when mammals colonized the islands of the West Indies

B: in the determination of how and when the islands of the West Indies were colonized by mammals

C: to determine how mammals colonized the islands of the West Indies and when they did

D: for determining when the islands of the West Indies were colonized by mammals and how they were

E: for determining how and when mammals colonized the islands of the West Indies

Hi Shraddha,

Is the answer to this E?

Regards,
Richa

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IMO the answer to this question is E

Here the use of for - verbing is used since the scientists have not specifically discovered with an aim to determine the colonization.

egmat

Hi folks,

Found an interesting question that tests the knowledge of this topic here. Try it out and post your analysis.

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If for+verb-ing cannot be used to denote intent, how do you explain the following sentence as the correct official AC?

astronomers have developed a scale for rating the likelihood that a particular asteroid or comet will
https://gmatclub.com/forum/responding-t ... 80581.html

Thanks

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31 Jul 2019, 02:29

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I am confused
I am afraid that
I got a prize for writing the book
is wrong sentence.
because in the sentence , "writing" can not refer to "I". this means "writing" is gerund, a general action.

I got a prize for my writing of the book
is correct.

doing can refer to subject of the sentence only in the special idiom with verbs.

I prohibit him from learning gmat soon

learning here refer to "him", not "I". so we do not have pattern " I get the prize for writing the book".

pls, explain thank.

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The Life and Casualty Company hopes that by increasing its environmental fund revenues to $1.2 billion, that it has set aside enough to pay for environmental claims and no longer has to use its profits and capital to pay those claims bit by bit, year by year.

(A) that it has set aside enough to pay for environmental claims and no longer has

(B) enough has been set aside with which environmental claims can be paid and it will have no longer

(C) it has set aside enough for payment of environmental claims and thus no longer having

(D) enough has been set aside to pay for environmental claims, thus no longer having

(E) it has set aside enough to pay for environmental claims and will no longer have

Hello E-GMAT,

The last statement of answer choice "E" saved me. However, I tried asking "purpose." It was clear that the purpose is "to pay for environmental claims." I also asked "set aside enough" "what for." I still got the answer as "payment of environmental claims." However, the sentence doesn't sound proper. Instead, it should be "it has set aside enough for paying environmental claims."

Can you please guide if I'm right in the above thinking? Also, I'm not able to ask the right question. In the above statement, the question should be only "purpose" but if I ask "what for", I still get an answer. Hence, how to rectify?

Thanks.
Sahaj