for sb to do sth

[panicmonger]

1. It is too hard for me to enunciate.
2. It is too hard to enunciate for me.
3. For me to enunciate is too hard.
4. For me is too hard to enunciate.
5. For me it is too hard to enunciate.
6. To enunciate is too hard for me.
7. To enunciate for me is too hard.

Are they all correct and expressing the same meaning?

This question is so fascinating that I can't help asking.

It is just a trivial question, please feel free to disregard it, as you please

Thank you.

 

[MrPedantic]

Hello PM,

1. It is too hard for me to enunciate.

— This can mean either a) Enunciation in general is too hard for me, or b) Enunciation of this particular thing ("it") is too hard for me.

2. It is too hard to enunciate for me.

— If this meant anything, it would mean that someone else was attempting to enunciate on my behalf.

3. For me to enunciate is too hard.

— Put a comma after "me", and the meaning is as for 1a, but with more emphasis on my particular difficulty in enunciation.

4. For me is too hard to enunciate.

— Not used.

5. For me it is too hard to enunciate.

— The meaning is again ambiguous, as with #1, but with more emphasis on the hardness of my particular difficulty.

6. To enunciate is too hard for me.

— as 1a.

7. To enunciate for me is too hard.

— Put commas round "for me", and then it is as #6, but with special emphasis on "my" difficulty.

There may be other interpretations, however, from other posters!

Best wishes,

MrP

 

[panicmonger]

7. To enunciate, for me, is too hard.
"for me" in the middle position emphasizes "my" difficulty.


8. To enunciate for me is too hard. (without commas)

Would it emphasize someone else enunciating on my behalf?


You are superb.
Thank you, MrPedantic.

 

[MrPedantic]

Hello PM,

Yes, your interpretation of #7 is good.

For #8, yes, it could mean that: though it would be difficult to find a context in which someone else could enunciate on one's behalf!

Best wishes,

MrP