using 'for' in place of 'that'

[riceball72]

Hi

I have a co-worker who keeps wanting to use 'that' in the same place as 'for' in a sentence.

It just sounds strange to me, and all the research I have done I can not find a situation where you would do this, and the meanings of each word and usage is different (to me) after looking in the dictionary.

examples of the sentences:

It has been common for the locals to cut down trees in that area.
It has been common that the locals cut down trees in that area.

another example:

It has been possible for some people to teach gorillas how to make simple sentences by using sign language.
It has been possible that some people teach gorillas how to make simple sentences by using sign language.


To me the use of that in these sentences is strange and incorrect. Is it just that I am not used to seeing it used like this or grammatically it is wrong???

Any simple explanations for me use with my co-worker???

Thanks

[hector51]

Hi!
I think instead of saying "It has been common that the locals cut down trees in that area" ,he (your co-worker) should say "That the locals cut down trees in that area is common",it is more grammatically right