Well, I decided to go on explaining the sentence patterns although, to my great surprise and disappointment, almost nobody seems to be interested. OK, let it be EC heritage!
Today I will tell you about a few other patterns. I will start with “It is for you..” as one of the learners tried to use it in her reply and did it incorrectly. So, here is the pattern:
- It is + for + indirect object + infinitive +……..
This pattern may be followed by the direct object or the clause. Such a sentence means that a person (indirect object) has to/should/will do something himself. Here are a few examples:
It is for you to decide what to eat (you should decide yourself).
It is for me to correct your mistakes (nobody else but I will correct your mistakes).
It is for us to take care of our planet (it is our duty as nobody else will do if for us).
Of course, we can use the interrogative and negative forms of this sentence:
Is it for me to be responsible for everything? (I ask if I am the only one who is responsible for everything)
It is not for you to tell me what to do! (In fact, I say it is none of your business. I, myself, know what to do)
Now, we can express the same idea using two other patterns.
If we mean that something depends on someone’s decision (my first example), we can use the following construction:
- It is up to + indirect object + clause
It is up to you what to eat.
It is up to us whether to learn or to be ignoramuses.
It is not up to me whether my wife will work.
However, in all other cases when we want to emphasize the importance of the indirect object, we can use the following construction:
- It is + indirect object + WHO/WHOM clause
It is me who will have to correct your mistakes.
It is us who have to take care of our planet.
It is not you who can judge them.
It was John whom I met there.
Meaning of such sentences is the same as in my first examples.
And now, it is for you to decide what pattern to use, but be sure to use it correctly.
As always, I propose you to practice a little and to write your sentences with the given patterns.
Have a great weekend, my friends!
Comments
Okay, then if it is me who has to work hard then why it is...
it is me who will have to wait?
Hi Danny!
Thank you for the explanation!
Let me try to write some sentences:
It is up to me, to join the group call or no.
It is me, who is going to cook today.
It is for them to win this game.
It is them who should invite us.
Is it for you, to drive them to the stadium?
I am not an EC heir ( LOL ) but your blog is really interesting, dear Danny.
Thank you for this lesson.
Bet, why? Didn't you know that WHO is the third person?
ohhhh...
Dear Bet, in the subordinate clause WHO is a subject. WHO is the third person. So, we should say:
It is me who is responsible for....
but
It is they who are responsible...
It is me who has to wait for the result of my test.....why has to?
Dear Rose, your sentences are mostly correct. There are only two mistakes.
It is for me to decide whether to take part in this exercise and it is for me to use the patterns correctly.
It's for you to decide whether you want to correct my mistakes.
It is you who tell us to use English grammar properly.
It is up to us what to do here on this site. Either we learn or we chat only. It is not up to me whether you will learn.
It was Danny who told us he will be absent for the next days and he told us it is Tanya who will help us with our test during his absence.
It is me who has to wait for the result of my test.
It is the teacher whom I have sent my sentences and it is he (him) who can judge me now.
It is for me to be responsible for my own mistakes? Yes , because it is me who made them. It is not for you to laugh about me as long as you are not perfect!
Dear Bet, yes, we say "make a decision" or "make up my mind"
so we make decision not take?
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