Jeff_999 Posted 22 years ago
Grammar
For and because of
___ Vastness of the Grand Canyon, it is difficult to capture it in a single photograph.
(A) For the
(B) Because of the
When both "for" and "because of" appear together in one choice question, I have no chioce but picking the later. But I don't know why "for" is wrong? I remember I've been told that 'for' could be put in front of sentense, if it didn't lead a clause, but just combined with a noun.
e.g.
"For his ideas and actions, he went to jail for a short time."
(A) For the
(B) Because of the
When both "for" and "because of" appear together in one choice question, I have no chioce but picking the later. But I don't know why "for" is wrong? I remember I've been told that 'for' could be put in front of sentense, if it didn't lead a clause, but just combined with a noun.
e.g.
"For his ideas and actions, he went to jail for a short time."
Top answer
If you reverse the order you will see that "for" couldn't be correct in this example: It is difficult to capture [the Grand Canyon] in a single photograph because of the vastness of [it]. (correct) It is difficult to capture [the Grand Canyon] in a single photograph for the vastness of [it]. (incorrect) The second sentence you give is an exception in which both would be correct: For his ideas and actions, he went to jail.
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If you reverse the order you will see that "for" couldn't be correct in this example:
It is difficult to capture [the Grand Canyon] in a single photograph because of the vastness of [it]. (correct)
It is difficult to capture [the Grand Canyon] in a single photograph for the vastness of [it]. (incorrect)
The second sentence you give is an exception in which both would
It is difficult to capture [the Grand Canyon] in a single photograph because of the vastness of [it]. (correct)
It is difficult to capture [the Grand Canyon] in a single photograph for the vastness of [it]. (incorrect)
The second sentence you give is an exception in which both would
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If you choose (A), your sentence can be paraphrased as;
"It is difficult for the vastness of the Grand Canyon to capture it in a single photograph".
="It is difficult that the vastness of the Grand Canyon captures it in a single photograph".
Do you think it makes sense?
paco
"It is difficult for the vastness of the Grand Canyon to capture it in a single photograph".
="It is difficult that the vastness of the Grand Canyon captures it in a single photograph".
Do you think it makes sense?
paco
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Dear Dave.
Frankly I don't get this one,
Again, let's take this sentence as example,
"For his ideas and actions, he went to jail. "
We are talking about the reason why something happened too- he went to jail, but we can still use "for", righ
Frankly I don't get this one,
when you are talking about the reason why a statement is true or why something happened, use "because of"
Again, let's take this sentence as example,
"For his ideas and actions, he went to jail. "
We are talking about the reason why something happened too- he went to jail, but we can still use "for", righ
00
And, Dear Paco,
I don't think the sentence can be paraphrased as
"It is difficult for the vastness of the Grand Canyon to capture it in a single photograph".
To the contrary,
I'd say, "It is difficult for us to capture the Grand Canyon in a single photograph, because of its vastness".
I don't think the sentence can be paraphrased as
"It is difficult for the vastness of the Grand Canyon to capture it in a single photograph".
To the contrary,
I'd say, "It is difficult for us to capture the Grand Canyon in a single photograph, because of its vastness".
00
It is correct that "for" can be used in place of "because of" in certain sentences. Take, for example, the sentence you have given:
He went to jail for his ideas. (correct)
He went to jail because of his ideas. (correct)
However, I do not like this sentence:
It is difficult for us to to capture the Grand Canyon in a single photograph for its vastness.
He went to jail for his ideas. (correct)
He went to jail because of his ideas. (correct)
However, I do not like this sentence:
It is difficult for us to to capture the Grand Canyon in a single photograph for its vastness.
00
I'd like to mention that I'm a writer, not a grammarian. I can give useful advice on English writing style, but I'm less reliable on issues of grammar. Grammar is a subject that I'm still learning about myself. Improving my own knowledge of grammar is in fact one of the reasons I'm attracted to this forum.
Several of the regular contributors to this forum are clearly grammar experts. I'
Several of the regular contributors to this forum are clearly grammar experts. I'
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Dear Dave,
Thanks for you responding. They are really helpful. Maybe I haven't formed a good sense of language, so I don't feel that the sentence belowing sounds obscure,
"For the vastness of the Grand Canyon, it is difficult to capture it in a single photograph."
And, whoa, you're a writer. That's wonderful. You're living in Taiwan or what???
Thanks for you responding. They are really helpful. Maybe I haven't formed a good sense of language, so I don't feel that the sentence belowing sounds obscure,
"For the vastness of the Grand Canyon, it is difficult to capture it in a single photograph."
And, whoa, you're a writer. That's wonderful. You're living in Taiwan or what???
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