Prepositions: To vs For

Question

what is the differents between TO & FOR can you discribe it detaily with examples?

Mister Micawber · Accepted Answer

Not possible in less than a book. The dictionary has a multitude of definitions for each preposition:

TO:
preposition
1.
(used for expressing motion or direction toward a point, person, place, or thing approached and reached, as opposed to from ): They came to the house.
2.
(used for expressing direction or motion or direction toward something) in the direction of; toward: from north to south.
3.
(used for expressing limit of movement or extension): He grew to six feet.
4.
(used for expressing contact or contiguity) on; against; beside; upon: a right uppercut to the jaw; Apply varnish to the surface.
5.
(used for expressing a point of limit in time) before; until: to this day; It is ten minutes to six. We work from nine to five.
6.
(used for expressing aim, purpose, or intention): going to the rescue.
7.
(used for expressing destination or appointed end): sentenced to jail.
8.
(used for expressing agency, result, or consequence): to my dismay; The flowers opened to the sun.
9.
(used for expressing a resulting state or condition): He tore it to pieces.
10.
(used for expressing the object of inclination or desire): They drank to her health.
11.
(used for expressing the object of a right or claim): claimants to an estate.
12.
(used for expressing limit in degree, condition, or amount): wet to the skin; goods amounting to $1000; Tomorrow's high will be 75 to 80°.
13.
(used for expressing addition or accompaniment) with: He added insult to injury. They danced to the music. Where is the top to this box?
14.
(used for expressing attachment or adherence): She held to her opinion.
15.
(used for expressing comparison or opposition): inferior to last year's crop; The score is eight to seven.
16.
(used for expressing agreement or accordance) according to; by: a position to one's liking; to the best of my knowledge.
17.
(used for expressing reference, reaction, or relation): What will he say to this?
18.
(used for expressing a relative position): parallel to the roof.
19.
(used for expressing a proportion of number or quantity) in; making up: 12 to the dozen; 20 miles to the gallon.
20.
(used for indicating the indirect object of a verb, for connecting a verb with its complement, or for indicating or limiting the application of an adjective, noun, or pronoun): Give it to me. I refer to your work.
21.
(used as the ordinary sign or accompaniment of the infinitive, as in expressing motion, direction, or purpose, in ordinary uses with a substantive object.)
22.
Mathematics . raised to the power indicated: Three to the fourth is 81 ( 3 4 = 81 ).

FOR:
preposition
1.
with the object or purpose of: to run for exercise.
2.
intended to belong to, or be used in connection with: equipment for the army; a closet for dishes.
3.
suiting the purposes or needs of: medicine for the aged.
4.
in order to obtain, gain, or acquire: a suit for alimony; to work for wages.
5.
(used to express a wish, as of something to be experienced or obtained): O, for a cold drink!
6.
sensitive or responsive to: an eye for beauty.
7.
desirous of: a longing for something; a taste for fancy clothes.
8.
in consideration or payment of; in return for: three for a dollar; to be thanked for one's efforts.
9.
appropriate or adapted to: a subject for speculation; clothes for winter.
10.
with regard or respect to: pressed for time; too warm for April.
11.
during the continuance of: for a long time.
12.
in favor of; on the side of: to be for honest government.
13.
in place of; instead of: a substitute for butter.
14.
in the interest of; on behalf of: to act for a client.
15.
in exchange for; as an offset to: blow for blow; money for goods.
16.
in punishment of: payment for the crime.
17.
in honor of: to give a dinner for a person.
18.
with the purpose of reaching: to start for London.
19.
contributive to: for the advantage of everybody.
20.
in order to save: to flee for one's life.
21.
in order to become: to train recruits for soldiers.
22.
in assignment or attribution to: an appointment for the afternoon; That's for you to decide.
23.
such as to allow of or to require: too many for separate mention.
24.
such as results in: his reason for going.
25.
as affecting the interests or circumstances of: bad for one's health.
26.
in proportion or with reference to: He is tall for his age.
27.
in the character of; as being: to know a thing for a fact.
28.
by reason of; because of: to shout for joy; a city famed for its beauty.
29.
in spite of: He's a decent guy for all that.
30.
to the extent or amount of: to walk for a mile.
31.
(used to introduce a subject in an infinitive phrase): It's time for me to go.
32.
(used to indicate the number of successes out of a specified number of attempts): The batter was 2 for 4 in the game.

Prepositions: To vs For

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