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Anonymous Posted 14 years ago
Grammar

buy vs. buy for

I wonder whether both expressions are correct and if so, is their meaning equal? Example:
1) I'm going to buy her a present.
2) I'm going to buy a present for her.
  

Top answer

The simple anwser is that both are correct and mean the same. In certain contexts, #2 could mean something different: My mother wants to buy a present for Peter (or: buy Peter a present ), but she can't get out anymore, so I am going to buy a present for her. She can wrap it up, and then I'll send it to Peter for her.

— Fivejedjon

  • The simple anwser is that both are correct and mean the same.
  • In certain contexts, #2 could mean something different: My mother wants to buy a present for Peter (or: buy Peter a present ), but she can't get out anymore, so I am going to buy a present for her.
  • She can wrap it up, and then I'll send it to Peter for her.
  • I am doing these things for my mother, in order to help her.
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2 Answers
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The simple anwser is that both are correct and mean the same.

In certain contexts, #2 could mean something different:

My mother wants to buy a present for Peter (or: buy Peter a present), but she can't get out anymore, so I am going to buy a present for her. She can wrap it up, and then I'll send it to Peter for her.

I am doing these things for my mo
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Over all, they are both correct and mean the same. It would be wise to keep in mind that prepositions (can) add extra meanings to verbs. In this case, the preposition for in "buy a present for her" could entail that the present is a particular one, specially chosen for her and her alone.
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