Meaning & use
nail files used for
Last updated
Meanings
phrasefixed phrase
asks what purpose nail files have or what tasks they are used to do.
Grammar: This is a question phrase. It is often followed by a verb in the -ing form or a noun when you answer.
Patterns
- What are nail files used for?
- Nail files are used for ...ing
- Nail files are used to ...
What are nail files used for?
Can you tell me what nail files are used for?
I know what nail files are used for, but I don't know how to hold them properly.
phrasefixed phrase
asks about the specific jobs or situations in which nail files are helpful.
Grammar: You can add 'mainly' or 'usually' to ask about the most common uses.
Patterns
- What are nail files mainly used for?
- What are nail files used for in a salon?
What are nail files mainly used for?
In a salon, what are nail files used for?
What are nail files used for besides shaping nails?
Common combinations
- used for shaping
- Nail files are used for shaping the edges of your nails.
- used for smoothing
- A fine nail file is used for smoothing rough edges.
- used to shorten
- Nail files are used to shorten long nails.
- used in manicures
- Nail files are used in manicures to prepare the nails.
- used on natural nails
- These gentle files are used on natural nails, not acrylics.
Practice
Choose the best answer: 'What are nail files used for?'
Choose one answer.
After 'used for', we need the -ing form of the verb: 'used for shaping'. Option An is wrong because 'for to shape' is not correct English. Option C is wrong because 'for shape' needs -ing. Option D is wrong because 'shaped' is not the right form here.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “nail files used for”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.