To vs. For: What’s the Difference?

When to use to
When do you use to in a sentence? Here are the main uses of the preposition to:

1 Direction
Expressing movement toward something.
• We’re going to the zoo this weekend.
• Look to the left and right when crossing the street.

2 Receiving
Showing who or what receives an action or item.
• Furlong passed the ball to Sexton at the last second.
• We didn’t invite Karen because she was always mean to us.

3 Connection
Showing an abstract link between two people.
• I am married to my best friend.
• This is Dwight, assistant to the regional manager.

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4 Attachment
Showing a physical attachment between two things.
• The piece of paper was accidentally glued to my hand.
• I chained my bike to a bench, but the bench was stolen.

5 Comparison
Introducing the second part of a comparison.
• High school is easy compared to college.
• They preferred water to soda.

6 Reason (with verb)

Describing why something happened, when the explanation uses a verb.
• He shouldn’t have joined the army to impress people.
• I study so much to get good grades.

Other main uses of to

Infinitives—In the infinitive form of a verb, to comes before the root verb.
• I want to be an astronaut.
• To succeed in anything requires motivation.

Time — Especially in British English, to is used to mean “before” a certain time.

• It’s a quarter to four. (3:45)

• Ten minutes to closing!

Synonym of “until” —To is often used colloquially as a replacement for “until.”

• We’re open from dawn to dusk.
• I’m with you to the end of the line, Bucky.

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When to use for

When do you use for in a sentence? Here are the main uses of the preposition
for:

1 Support

Indicating agreement, allegiance, or favor toward something.

• I always root for the underdog at games.
• If you’re not for the union, you’re against it!

2 Representation

Showing an action on behalf of or representing something else.

• I speak for everyone when I say that we’re happy you’re here.
• I may work for Walmart, but I don’t shop there.

3 Exchange

Introducing the second part of a purchase, deal, or trade.

• I’ll give you my potato chips for your mini-muffin.
• He bought the entire Skrillex discography for only a dollar.

4 Length

Indicating length of time or distance.

• She worked there for four years and the boss never learned her name.
• Go straight for a few miles and then turn left.

5 Gratitude

Showing thanks or gratitude.

• Thank you for your email.
• It isn’t much, but I’m grateful for what I have.

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6 Reason (with noun)

Describing why something happened, when the explanation uses a noun.

• She became a doctor for the money, not the long hours.
• We have to practice extra for the tournament.

Other main uses of for

Conjunction — For is a coordinating conjunction that acts as a synonym of

“because,” although today it’s a little outdated. (If you’ve learned the FANBOYS
acronym, for is the F.)
• Don’t go out past midnight, for it’s not safe.
• The crops aren’t growing, for the weather is lousy.

Comparisons with what’s normal — You can use for to emphasize how
something is different from the norm or general standard.
• She’s tall for her age.
• “You’re not bad for an elf,” said the dwarf.

Scheduling — For is used to indicate a planned arrangement in the future.

• I have a dentist appointment scheduled for Tuesday.

• Is our D&D session still on for later?

Common word pairings that use to and for

Certain words just go together, even when other words are technically correct
too. When you’re familiar with a language, specific word pairings just sound
“natural” because everyone seems to use them, but swapping one of those words
with another doesn’t sound as good because the phrasing is less common. For
example, we often say “save time,” but rarely use “conserve time,” even though
both are correct and have the same meaning. These pairings are known as
collocations.

For people whose primary language is not English, collocations can be difficult to
remember, especially with prepositions. So below we’ve included a short list of
the common words that usually pair with to and for. We’ve also included some
popular phrasal verbs to help you understand which words use to and which
words use for.

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Word pairings that use to:

access to
addiction/addicted to
attraction/attracted to
change to
contribute to
dedicate/dedication to
new to
react/reaction to
refer/reference to
respond/response to
threat to
transition to
to some extent
to [someone’s] surprise
to [someone’s] face
to this day

Common phrasal verbs with to:

get around to
get down to
get to
look up to
see to

Word pairings that use for

advertise/advertisement for
approval for
argue/argument for
care for

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cure for
hunger/hungry for
pay for
recipe for
room for
search for
study for
talent for
thirst/thirsty for
for a living
for a while
for free
for good
for now
for sale
for starters
for sure
for the best
for the record
for the time being

Common phrasal verbs with for:

go for
look for
look / watch out for

Using to vs. for with purpose and reasons

Looking at the uses of to and for individually, you’ll notice there’s some overlap,
particularly when it comes to reasons and explaining why. This topic alone creates
a lot of the to vs. for confusion.

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When it comes to purpose and reason, the simple difference between to and for
is:
- to is used with verbs
- for is used with nouns
Consider these examples:
• I came here to see you.
• I came here for you.

Both communicate similar messages, but with different words. The first sentence
uses to because the reason is a verb (“see”); the second sentence uses for
because the reason is a noun (“you”).

Using important to vs. important for

It’s quite common to hear both “important to someone” and “important for
someone.” While they’re both grammatically correct—and similar—their
meanings have a slight difference that’s worth mentioning.

important to indicates personal or sentimental value, with emotional significance

important for indicates a practical benefit, not always an emotional significance

As an example, a job interview might be important for you as a way to make

money and afford your lifestyle. However, if the interview is for your childhood
dream job, then the job interview can also be important to you because it reflects
a personal passion.

Using to vs. for with receiving something

Although to is more closely related to receiving something, people often mix it up

with for. Because for indicates a reason that’s a noun—in this case, a person—it
can get confusing.
Essentially, when you’re talking about someone receiving something directly, use
to followed by the recipient (the person who receives something).
• Every year I give a birthday gift to my dog.
If you’re talking about the reason or purpose behind doing something—but not
the actual giving—use for.
• I bought a birthday gift for my dog.

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Notice how the action in the last sentence is about buying the gift, not giving
the gift.

Quiz

Choose to or for to complete each sentence or question.

1. She’s walking _________ school.

2. Vanessa bought a gift _________ her sister.

3. This apple is _________ the teacher.

4. Who do you want to talk __________?

5. He’s driving _______ the store ________ some bread.

6. Ask that man ________ some directions.

7. What did you do that _________?

8. We’re all looking forward _________ some vacation time.

9. I’m looking _________ a new car.

10. They’re preparing a meal _________ 20 people.

11. Maria bought some shoes _________ herself.

12. Charles needs to mail a letter __________ his grandmother.

13. Geraldo kicked the ball __________ his teammate.

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14. I could go __________ another piece of cake.

15. If you can’t lift it, I’ll lift it ________ you.

16. The boy is reaching _________ the jar on the shelf.

17. Bring the coffee pot _________ the table.

18. This tablecloth is the perfect size __________ the table.

19. You should do something nice __________ yourself.

20. The man did something harmful _________ himself.

Answer key:
1. She’s walking ____to_____ school.

2. Vanessa bought a gift _____for____ her sister.

3. This apple is ____for_____ the teacher.

4. Who do you want to talk _____to_____?

5. He’s driving ___to____ the store ____for____ some bread.

6. Ask that man ____for____ some directions.

7. What did you do that _____for____?

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8. We’re all looking forward _____to____ some vacation time.

9. I’m looking _____for____ a new car.

10. They’re preparing a meal ____for_____ 20 people.

11. Maria bought some shoes ____for_____ herself.

12. Charles needs to mail a letter ____to______ his grandmother.

13. Geraldo kicked the ball _____to_____ his teammate.

14. I could go _____for_____ another piece of cake.

15. If you can’t lift it, I’ll lift it ____for____ you.

16. The boy is reaching _____for____ the jar on the shelf.

17. Bring the coffee pot _____to____ the table.

18. This tablecloth is the perfect size _____for_____ the table.

19. You should do something nice _____for_____ yourself.

20. The man did something harmful ____to_____ himself.

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