for */*/*/

strong UK [fɔː(r)] / US [fɔr] weak UK [fə(r)] / US [fər] preposition, conjunction

Summary:

For can be used in the following ways: - as a preposition (followed by a noun): I bought some flowers for Chloe. ♦ Wait there for a while. - as a conjunction (connecting two clauses): I told her to leave, for I was very tired.

1) intended to help or benefit someone/something

a) used for saying who or what is intended to receive something or get the benefit of it

I've brought a cup of tea for you.

Claudia, this present is for you.

So, what can I do for you?

The academy provides training for young musicians.

They'll have to buy furniture for the new house.

b) used for saying that someone does something so that someone else does not have to do it

Betty will take care of things for us while we're away.

c) in order to protect someone or something

We are here today to honour those who died for their country.

2) used for stating a purpose used for stating the purpose of an object or action

We use the basement for storage.

The red button is for turning the machine off.

3) used for saying a length of time or a distance

a) used for saying how long something lasts or continues

There have been drought conditions for the last two summers.

I've been waiting for 20 minutes.

for a while:

We haven't seen Kim for a while.

See:

since

b) used for saying how far something reaches, or how far someone goes

The desert stretched for hundreds of miles in all directions.

They must have walked for at least three miles.

4) intended to happen at a particular time used for saying the particular time or date that something is planned to happen

The meeting was planned for 10 o'clock.

The release of her new album is scheduled for next August.

5) employed by someone/something used for saying the person or organization that someone is employed by

She works for a firm of accountants.

6) used for saying how much money is paid

a) used for saying the cost of a product or a service

I sold my car for £900.

How much do you want for those two lamps?

They bought the entire business for around £15m.

He says he won't fix the bike for less than sixty pounds.

b) used for saying how much someone earns

Some labourers were working for less than £3 a day.

7) used for saying who or what you support or prefer

a) used for saying which person or thing someone supports or agrees with

Everyone says they are for equal opportunities.

Support for the government's reform programme has been overwhelming.

Eight members voted for the proposal and six against.

all for (= supporting something completely):

Of course, I'm all for (= I completely support) freedom of speech.

b) if you are for a particular plan or activity, you want to take part in it

I'm for a picnic by the river.

Anyone for tennis?

8) relating to someone/something relating to or concerning someone or something

Living conditions for most of the citizens are very bad.

an advertisement for private health insurance

9) used for talking about reasons or causes

a) as a result of something

He was sick for lack of food.

We're all much better people for having known Carl.

b) mainly literary because

She began to grow nervous, for he had promised to meet her at dawn.

c) used after nouns such as "reason" or "cause"

Did he give any reason for arriving so late?

The current inflation rate is a cause for concern.

10) used for saying who or what your feelings are related to used for showing that your feelings are directed towards a particular person or thing

I'm so happy for you!

I feel sorry for his wife.

It's clear that she has great affection for her grandchildren.

I feel nothing but disgust for the whole process.

11) representing someone used for saying who you represent when you say or do something

I'm speaking for all of us when I say how sorry we are.

12) going to a place used for saying the place you are going to when you leave another place

What time are you leaving for home?

He got on the next plane for San Francisco.

13) used for saying who or what does something used after some adjectives, nouns, and verbs for saying who or what does the action of the following verb

for someone/something to do something:

It was difficult for me to understand what he was saying.

All I want is for you to be happy.

It is time for Congress to begin exploring some new approaches.

14) in order to celebrate in order to celebrate a holiday or special occasion

John gave me a tie for Christmas, as usual.

We haven't decided what to do for her birthday.

15) enough to make something possible used for saying what a particular amount of time, money, space etc makes possible

We haven't got the money for a new car right now.

Come in – there's room for two.

There just isn't enough time for everyone to have a try.

16) in someone's opinion used for saying who has a particular feeling or opinion about something

For me personally, it was a complete disaster.

The biggest concern for most Americans was the quality of public education.

17) considering what someone/something is used for saying that a particular fact about someone or something is surprising when you consider who or what they are

She sings amazingly well for a child.

It's awfully expensive for a child's toy.

18) used for showing what something means used for saying what something means or represents

What's the Italian word for "Goodbye"?

Red roses are for love.

19) informal suitable for used for saying which person a particular thing, activity, or person would be suitable for

I just know this girl will be the one for you.

Mountain climbing's not for me – it looks too dangerous.

•

for every/each — used for talking about the relationship between one number or amount and another

For every person who complains, there are always hundreds of satisfied customers.

For each basket of apples you pick, you get £2.

for the first/last etc time — used for talking about how often something has happened

For the first time in my life I realized that I was the powerful one.

He was late this morning for the third time this week.

for one thing ... (for another thing) — spoken used for giving a reason for something

Why didn't we visit? Well, for one thing, it was too far away. And for another, she never invited us.

I for one... — spoken used for emphasizing what you believe or think, even if other people disagree

Nothing has been proved yet, and I for one believe that he is innocent.

(in) for it — informal used for saying that you are going to be in trouble because of something that you have done

"Now we're in for it," Phillip said as they trooped into the headmaster's room.

that's/there's ... for you — spoken used for saying that someone should not be surprised or upset when someone behaves in a particular way because that is the way they normally behave; spoken used when you are angry or disappointed at the way you or someone else has been treated

"His room's such a mess." "Well, that's teenagers for you!"

They said it was all my own fault. There's justice for you!

- be for someone to do something

- for all

- for now

- if it were not for

- not for anything