To and For

to VS for

What's the differences?

Rules of using 'to' and 'for'

To is a preposition and a versatile little word that can be used to say many things.

• to indicate a goal or a direction of movement as well as a place of arrival.

• to indicate a relationship between words, relationship like possession, attachment, and addition.

• a range or a period of time,

to + infinitive

an infinitive is the base form of a verb that can function as a noun, adjective, or adverb

Examples

• To leave the party would be a rude. To leave here serve as the SUBJECT.

• No one wants to stay. To stay is infinitive serve as DIRECT OBJECT.

To + infinitive

• I came here to talk to you. (correct)

• I came here for talk to you. (wrong)

To + infinitive

• I got the certificate to get promoted. (correct)

• I got the certificate for get promoted. (wrong)

When should you use 'TO'

when should you use 'To'

Destination

Our CEO is going to Rome tomorrow.

From....To..

It is about 5km from my house to school.

Time

• US - (normally we use) It's five thirty. [5:30]

• UK - It's twenty to six [5:40]

Verb

• Want - We want to finish this section by tomorrow.

• Promise - They promised to comply with all the new regulations.

List of verb

Expressions

• to some extent - Everyone will have to compromise to some extent.

• to date- I wrote to him two months ago, but I haven’t received any response to date.

• to my face - I can’t believe he lied to my face.

List of expressions

Multiple Choice

1. She agreed ______ a presentation at the meeting.

• giving

• to give

Multiple Choice

2. We decided ____ out for dinner

• to go

• going

Multiple Choice

3. She practiced _____ the song.

• to sing

• singing

Multiple Choice

4. I don't mind ___ early.

• to come

• coming

Multiple Choice

5. She avoided ___ to her boss.

• to talk

• talking

1. She agreed to give a presentation at the meeting.

verb 'agree' + infinitive (to give)

2. We decided to go out for dinner.

verb 'decide' + infinitive (to go)

3. She practiced singing the song.

gerund

4. I don't mind coming early.

gerund

5. She avoided talking to her boss.

gerund

For is usually a preposition and sometimes a conjunction.

• purpose - reason for something

• someone - people receiving something

• duration - how long something lasts

• exchange - money

• for = because (formal or literary writing)

For + noun

• He went for the result (correct)

• He went to the result (wrong)

For + noun

• I'm going for some breakfast (correct)

• I'm going to some breakfast (wrong)

When should you use 'for'

Benefits

Getting this certificate will be good for your career

Favors / someone

She did that for me as I helped her before.

Periods of time

We’re going to Cape Town for two months. (We will spend two months in Cape Town.)

Reason / purpose

She leaves on Friday for a 15-day cruise around the Mediterranean.

Scheduling

I'll set our next meeting for 29th December

Expressions

for good - permanently

I'm coming back to Malaysia for good.

List of expressions

• for a living - as a profession (I am doing this for a living)

• for the record - true facts that been recorded / officially (For the record, I did not take the money as I was not in the room at that time)

Confusing To and For

“For you” or “To you”?

Should you say “I sent this letter to you” or “I sent this letter for you”?

The answer is - both are possible, depending on what you mean. 

'I sent this letter to you' means that, hopefully, you will receive my letter, because you are the recipient.

'I sent this letter for you' means that I did you a favor and took the letter to the mailbox, but the recipient is a third person.

So remember these two rules:

#1 If there is a transfer of something to someone → TO

Can you give this to her? I wrote the letter to her. (I wrote the letter and she will receive it soon)

#2 If the person will benefit from a service or a favor → FOR

This present is for him. I wrote the letter for her. (She wasn’t able to write it and I did it for her as a favor)

Multiple Choice

1. I am writing an email __ find out the details.

• to

• for

Multiple Choice

2. We’re traveling __ Singapore in two months.

• to

• for

Multiple Choice

3. I’ll set up our next meeting __ Monday.

• to

• for

Multiple Choice

4. They came __ the results.

• to

• for

Multiple Choice

5. He’ll head __ the new branch in the morning.

• to

• for

Multiple Choice

6. You’re seeing Sue at the weekend, right? Can you give this present __ her?

• to

• for

Multiple Choice

7. There are some good points, but also many negatives, so I only agree __ some extent.

• to

• for

Multiple Choice

8. I have to prepare a report __ the meeting.

• to

• for

Multiple Choice

9. I think they went a bit too far, but she was fired __ being late.

• to

• for

Multiple Choice

10. This contract is only __ ensuring that your needs are covered.

• to

• for

Multiple Choice

11. You can use this tool __ debug the system.

• to

• for

Multiple Choice

12. He came quite early, at quarter __ five.

• to

• for

Multiple Choice

13. Sarah sent the parcel __ me because I had the flu and couldn’t go out.

• to

• for

Multiple Choice

14. I stopped _____ a break.

• to

• for

Multiple Choice

15. I stopped ____ have a break.

• to

• for

Multiple Choice

16. He tried ____ kill him.

• to

• for

Multiple Choice

17. He was tried ____ murder and found guilty.

• to

• for

Multiple Choice

18. We went from the restaurant ___ the party

• to

• for

Multiple Choice

19. "Bring this tea upstairs ___ your grandmother."

• to

• for

Multiple Choice

20. I am looking forward ___ talking with you again.

• to

• for

TO or FOR can be used for a motive/reason, but TO is always with a verb, and FOR is always with a noun

I came to New York  to work.

I came to New York  for a new job.