The Preposition "For"

The word "for" is a versatile preposition in the English language that has several important functions. It plays a critical role in expressing purpose, duration, support, and more.

Common Uses of "For"

Here are some of the primary uses of the preposition "for":

• To indicate purpose: "She went to the store for milk."
• To show duration: "He has been living in London for three years."
• To indicate support: "I am rooting for your team!"
• To specify a recipient: "This gift is for you."
• To indicate reasons: "I was late for the meeting because of traffic."

Examples of "For" in Sentences

Here are some examples demonstrating the various uses of "for":

• She works for a non-profit organization. – indicating employment or affiliation.
• We reserved a table for two at the restaurant. – indicating the intended audience or group.
• He is known for his generosity. – indicating a characteristic.

Changing Contexts

The meaning of "for" can shift slightly depending on the context in which it is used. For instance, in a legal context, "for" can denote benefit (e.g., "for the plaintiff in a lawsuit"), whereas in the context of travel, it can indicate destination (e.g., "for New York").

Potential Confusions with "For"

While "for" is a simple preposition, it can sometimes be confused with other prepositions:

• To: "I am going to the store" (indicating direction) vs. "I bought this for you" (indicating purpose).
• Of: "The cover of the book" (indicating possession) vs. "This is for you" (indicating purpose).