for the wrong reasons

English grammar questions, answered by Alan

Moderator: Alan

Locked
azz
Rising Star
Rising Star
Posts: 296
Joined: Fri Feb 06, 2004 12:50 pm

for the wrong reasons

Post by azz »

a. I didn't like that movie and Betsy didn't like it either, but Betsy didn't like it for the wrong reasons.
(Betsy disliked it for the wrong reasons.)

b. I didn't go to the party and Betsy didn't either. But Betsy didn't go for you.

(You were the reason Betsy didn't go.)

Are (a) and (b) grammatically correct and meaningful?

Normally, "Betsy didn't go for you." would mean she went for some other reason, but here it is supposed to mean "She refrained from going for you."

Many thanks
User avatar
Alan
Teacher/Moderator
Teacher/Moderator
Posts: 15193
Joined: Mon Dec 29, 2003 7:56 pm
Status: Teacher of English
Location: Japan

Re: for the wrong reasons

Post by Alan »

(A) is correct, but not (b) ('for' does not mean 'because of').
Locked