To Vs For

by G Sat May 24, 2008 4:53 am

Is the usage "To X" always preferable to "for Xing" where X is a verb ?

Are there specific cases where either of these is more preferable ?

Suppose I say "More information is required to determine the impact of the blasts" Vs "More information is required for determining the impact of the blasts"

Can a tutor help out

PS : No Source since its a general doubt

by **StaceyKoprince** Tue Jun 03, 2008 1:43 am

It really depends on the specific usage, unfortunately! In the example you gave, the idiom is "required to <infinitive>". For that kind of set-up in general, I'd ask yourself whether it makes sense to say "in order to" - eg, more info is required in order to determine blah blah blah. If so, use the "to" form.

If you come across more examples in your study that don't fit the "in order to" pattern, come back and ask again. You can excerpt just that sentence if you don't want to post the entire problem.