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Meaning & use

for

preposition, conjunction·Everyday

Last updated

UK/fɔː/
US/fɔːr/

Meanings

  1. preposition

    Shows the purpose or intended use of something.

    Grammar: Followed by a noun or -ing verb: for a walk, for saving money.

    Patterns

    • for + noun
    • for + -ing

    This knife is for cutting bread.

    We went to the park for a picnic.

  2. preposition

    Shows who receives something or benefits from it.

    Grammar: Followed by a noun or pronoun: for you, for the children.

    Patterns

    • for + someone

    I bought a gift for my sister.

    She made a cake for us.

  3. preposition

    Shows a length of time something continues.

    Grammar: Used with a period of time: for two hours, for a week.

    Patterns

    • for + time period

    I waited for three hours.

    She lived in Paris for a year.

  4. preposition

    Shows the destination or goal of a journey or action.

    Grammar: Followed by a place or direction: for London, for the exit.

    Patterns

    • for + place

    The train for Boston leaves at noon.

    He headed for the door.

  5. conjunctionformalliterary

    Because; used to introduce a reason, especially in formal or literary writing.

    Grammar: Joins two clauses; it is more formal than 'because'.

    Patterns

    • clause + for + clause

    She stayed home, for she was feeling ill.

    He was happy, for he had passed the exam.

Common combinations

for example
Many fruits, for example apples and oranges, are good for you.
for sale
The house next door is for sale.
for free
They fixed my computer for free.
for now
Let's stay here for now.
for good
She left the city for good.

Synonyms and how they differ

because
Use 'because' in everyday speech; 'for' as a conjunction is more formal and literary.
since
Similar to 'because', but often implies a known reason; 'for' is more formal.

Commonly confused: for or since? for or during?

for vs since

Both can mean 'because', but 'since' also refers to time ('since 2010'), while 'for' does not.

for vs during

Both relate to time, but 'for' is used with a length of time ('for two hours'), while 'during' is used with a specific event or period ('during the meeting').

Practice

Choose the correct word: I have lived here ___ five years.

Make it your own

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