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Problem using "for"



 
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Problem using "for" #1 (permalink) Fri Nov 03, 2006 19:15 pm   Problem using "for"
 

Hi!
I don`t seem to understand this usage of "for", though I suggest what it might mean. In the given example, the unclear combination of words is underlined:
"He saw where, for want of greater activity in offering goods consigned - quicker communication with shippers and buyers, a better working agreement with surrounding commission men - this house, or, rather, its customers, for it had nothing, endured severe losses."

P.S. Sorry for the long sentence. T_T

Thanks in advance!
SkiIucK
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Joined: 09 Oct 2006
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For #2 (permalink) Fri Nov 03, 2006 19:59 pm   For
 

Hi,

Your sentence:

Quote:
"He saw where, for want of greater activity in offering goods consigned - quicker communication with shippers and buyers, a better working agreement with surrounding commission men - this house, or, rather, its customers, for it had nothing, endured severe losses."


for want of suggests through lack of/by reason of it missing/lacking. The word 'for' is used here as a preposition and can be used in expressions like: I have failed but it's not for want of trying. In other words the reason I failed was not because I didn't try.

For it had nothing the word 'for' is used her as a conjunction and has the sense of 'because' but is usually used in that meaning in writing rather than in speech.

A
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