Quote:
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Originally Posted by navi tasan 4-I didn't close the door for the cat to be able to go out.
a-I did close the door, but for something else (to keep the dog out)
b-In order for the cat to be able to go out, I didn't close the door.
If I understand your reply correctly, you are saying that 4 can mean a. There, we have no problem. The question is whether 4 can mean b. And if we want it to mean b, should we use a comma? |
First of all, we need a sentence that has meaning. Sentence 4- is semantically odd. I don't know what it means. Sorry. It's 'for the cat to go out' that has me confused. Consider,
5)
I didn't do it for the cat (i.e. for
the benefit of the cat). A comma is not needed. In this case, 5) carries the same meaning as a-,
5) I didn't close the door for the (benefit of the) cat.
a- I closed the door for another reason.
6)
I didn't close the door because I want the cat to go out. A comma is not needed. In this case, 'because I want the cat to go out' answers the question,
Q: Why didn't you close the door?
A: I didn't closed the door 6)
because I want the cat to go out.
Sentence 6) and b- carry the same meaning,
6) I didn't close the door because I want the cat to go out.
b- In order for the cat to be able to go out, I didn't close the door.
As for the original sentence,
4-I didn't close the door for the cat to be able to go out.
It's awkward with 'for' because it means,
I didn't close the door for the benefit of the cat to be able to get out. :?
Try,
I didn't do it
because.... (i.e. for this reason). Seems to me you're using 'for' where you should be using 'because'. :D
All the best,
Linear Mode
