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Old 20-Apr-2008, 14:31
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Default Exact meaning of sentence with "for+infinitive"

Hello,

Consider:

"A procedure compatible with X would be convenient for many other companies to adopt."

What does that exactly mean?

Does it mean the companies would find it convenient to adopt such a procedure, or does it mean that the fact that they would adopt it would be convenient in general (maybe not just to them)? (Or something else?)

Thank you.
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Old 20-Apr-2008, 15:15
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Default Re: Exact meaning of sentence with "for+infinitive"

Quote:
Originally Posted by Jean-Frédéric View Post
Hello,

Consider:

"A procedure compatible with X would be convenient for many other companies to adopt."

What does that exactly mean?

Does it mean the companies would find it convenient to adopt such a procedure, or does it mean that the fact that they would adopt it would be convenient in general (maybe not just to them)? (Or something else?)

Thank you.
If the procedure is compatible with company X, it may also be convenient for other companies to adopt such a procedure, meaning, the possible success of company X in using this procedure, might prompt other enterprises to adopt this procedure as well.
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Old 20-Apr-2008, 18:36
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Default Re: Exact meaning of sentence with "for+infinitive"

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Originally Posted by Snowcake View Post
If the procedure is compatible with company X, it may also be convenient for other companies to adopt such a procedure, meaning, the possible success of company X in using this procedure, might prompt other enterprises to adopt this procedure as well.
Actually "X" here is a standard, not a company. Sorry for making it needlessly complicated. Consider instead:

Quote:
This procedure would be convenient for many companies to adopt.
My question is more directed to someone whose first language would be English. I am not asking for speculation about the situation described by this sentence, but for an assessment of the sentence, with its typically English "for+infinitive" construction.

In French (my first language), you can't write:

Quote:
Cette procédure serait commode pour beaucoup d'entreprises d'adopter.
It doesn't mean anything.

So my question is: how does someone whose first language is English understand this sentence? Is it convenient for the companies that they adopt the procedure, or is the fact that they might adopt the procedure said to be (generally) convenient? (And also, is this sentence really correct?)

Thanks.
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