Meaning & use
suitable for
Last updated
UK/ˈsuːtəbl fɔː/
US/ˈsuːtəbl fɔːr/
Meaning
phrasefixed phrase
right or appropriate for a particular person, purpose, or situation.
Grammar: Followed by a noun or an -ing form: suitable for beginners, suitable for camping.
Patterns
- suitable for someone/something
- suitable for doing something
This movie is not suitable for young children.
The shoes are suitable for walking on rough ground.
Is this book suitable for a beginner?
Common combinations
- suitable for children
- The play is suitable for children over six.
- suitable for beginners
- This class is suitable for beginners.
- suitable for purpose
- The tool is suitable for the purpose.
- suitable for use
- The software is suitable for use on older computers.
Synonyms and how they differ
- appropriate for
- More formal and often suggests social correctness; 'suitable for' is more general.
- fit for
- Stronger and often used in negative or formal contexts; 'suitable for' is neutral.
Opposites
unsuitable for
Word family
- suitability noun
- The quality of being suitable.
- suitably adverb
- In a suitable way.
Commonly confused: suitable for or suitable to?
suitable for vs suitable to
'Suitable to' is much less common and is used before a verb (e.g., suitable to wear), not before a noun.
Practice
The hotel is suitable ___ families with young children.
Choose one answer.
The correct preposition after 'suitable' before a noun is 'for'. 'To' is used before a verb, not a noun.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “suitable for”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.
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