0

It is necessary for them for Jake to be at the function tomorrow.

Is the above sentence correct if I want to say that "for them it is very important for Jake to be present at the function tomorrow"

And by "them" I mean the people who are organising the function. And in the above sentence Jake is a famous person who is going to be the chief guest of that function. So for the people organising the event, it is very important that Jake is going to be at the function.

And could provide some alternative ways to covey the same meaning?

Improve this question
3
  • you must make it clear, for whom this is important. For them? For me? for both? Not clear from the context. By "for them" do you mean "in their opinion"?
    – fev
    Dec 18, 2020 at 16:07
  • By "them" I mean the people who are organising the function. And in the above sentence 'me' refers to a famous person who is going to be the chief guest of that function. So for the people organising the event, it is very important for "me" to be at the function.
    – Guri
    Dec 18, 2020 at 16:12
  • You mean that the people organising the event think/believe that this is important for me? You'd better explain this in the body of your question, if you want to receive reasonable answers
    – fev
    Dec 18, 2020 at 16:14

2 Answers 2

Reset to default
2

While it's not "wrong", I think it would be much more common to hear "They need Jake to be at the function tomorrow."

Improve this answer
2

I can't think of a rule why it's wrong, but the two different uses of "for" right in a row do seem awkward. The meaning you describe is the first meaning I thought of when reading the original, but it wasn't the easiest read. (AmE native speaker) Have you tried it with fewer "to be" verbs? Something like

They find it necessary that I attend the function tomorrow.

or even (if this is also true)

They said I must attend the function tomorrow.

Improve this answer
2
  • Thank you so much for your answer. Can I also write it in this manner: It is important for them that I be at the function tomorrow?
    – Guri
    Dec 18, 2020 at 16:23
  • 1
    I'd go with "important to" them, but otherwise seems fine to me. ("use fewer to be verbs" is more advice for effective writing not grammar advice.)
    – JocularHermeneut
    Dec 18, 2020 at 16:27

You must log in to answer this question.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged .