the man to help you

[navi tasan]

Are these sentences correct:
1-"You don't like him now, but you'll see that when you need help, he'll be the man to help you." (meaning: he will be the man who'll help you.)

2-"You don't like him now, but you'll see that when you need help, he'll be one of the people to help you.

 

[RonBee]

Yes, they are both fine.

 

[navi tasan]

Thanks RonBee.
I think that structure works in the future tense, but does it work in the past tense?
Could you say:
3-He was the man to help me.
Meaning:
A-"he was the man who did help me"
and not:
B-"the man to whom I was to go for help", or C-"the man who was assigned the task of helping me"?

 

[RonBee]

Thanks RonBee.
I think that structure works in the future tense, but does it work in the past tense?
Could you say:
3-He was the man to help me.
Meaning:
A-"he was the man who did help me"
and not:
B-"the man to whom I was to go for help", or C-"the man who was assigned the task of helping me"?

I don't think it works in the past tense. If I was going to use past tense, I would say He was the man who helped me. I see He is the man to help me as meaning He is the man I can expect help from. That wouldn't have a past tense application.

 

[navi tasan]

Very good explanation.
Thanks a lot.

 

[Red5]

Ron is always the man to help you! ;-)

 

[RonBee]

Very good explanation.
Thanks a lot.

You're welcome, as always. And thanks for the compliment.