For versus To

Use For in the following situations:

Benefits

  • Exercising is great for your health.
  • I eat a lot of vegetables for the fiber.

Purpose (with -ing verb)

  • A helmet is used for protecting your head.
  • This tool is used for cutting metal.

Assisting someone

  • Could you carry these books for me?
  • I can cook for you if you're tired.

Length of time

  • We’ve lived here for 2 years.
  • She worked there for 5 months.
Use To in the following situations:

    Giving

  • She gave it to me.
  • I donated to Farm Sanctuary.

    Direction of communication

  • She talked to me.
  • I said it to him.

Destination

  • I'm travelling to Lima.
  • I'm going to the store.

Distance

  • It’s 20 minutes from my job to my house.
  • It's 3 hours to Washington.
When referring to motive/purpose/reason it get's a little complicated.

If you follow the preposition with a noun you use for.

  • I'm going out for food.
  • She's working hard for that possible promotion.

If you follow the preposition with a verb you use to.

  • I'm going out to eat.
  • I volunteer a lot to help others.

Take a Quiz!

  • 1. I bought this ________ you. (helping someone)
  • 2. She loves _____ sing. (preposition followed by verb)
  • 3. They want to speak _______ you. (direction of communication)
  • 4. I admitted my mistake _____ my boss. (direction of communication)
  • 5. My brother would be happy to do that _______ you. (helping someone)
  • 6. I really like cooking ______ my girlfriend (helping someone)
  • 7. We are going ______ Vietnam. (destination)
  • 8. He needs to report that _____ his boss. (direction of communication)
  • 9. Do you want me to make a reservation _____ us? (helping someone)
  • 10. I went there ______ a conference. (preposition followed by noun)