the difference?

[richard001]

Hi teachers,

Could you tell me the difference between the phrase "use something to do something" and "use something for doing something"?

Thank you very much

[AintFoolin]

is 'something' a placeholder in those sentences or do you literally mean the word 'something'?

[richard001]

Is it different?I guess something here is used as a placeholder.

[Casiopea]

Hi teachers,

Could you tell me the difference between the phrase "use something to do something" and "use something for doing something"?

Thank you very much

I'm going to use this rag to clean the house. (infinitive)
=> This rag is (used) to clean the house. (adverb)

I'm going to use this rag for cleaning the house. (gerund)
=> This rag is for cleaning the house. (adjective)

[Casiopea]

Is it different? I guess something here is used as a placeholder.

It's a placeholder. 'something' represents all nominals that can occur in that context. The quotation marks "..." are unnecessary. They refer to quoted speech, or a person's exact words.

[richard001]

That's so kind of you,thanks a lot.

[Casiopea]

That's so kind of you,thanks a lot.

You're very welcome, Richard. Y'all come back now, ya hear?