Go Fluent - To or For Flashcards
I drink milk ___ sleep better.
I drink milk to sleep better. (verb)
I drink milk ___ better sleep.
I drink milk for better sleep. (noun)
Helga reads books ___ relieve stress.
Helga reads books to relieve stress. (verb)
Helga reads books ___ stress relief.
Helga reads books for stress relief. (noun)
Daniel walks ___ the office every day.
Daniel walks to the office every day.
The secretary gave the report ___ the manager before the meeting.
The secretary gave the report to the manager before the meeting.
It’s 15 minutes ___ 10. (It’s 9:45.)
It’s 15 minutes to 10. (It’s 9:45.)
Rachel works ___ 8:00 a.m. ___ 3:00 p.m.
Rachel works from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Carla prefers apples ___ grapes.
Carla prefers apples to grapes.
The children prefer watching videos ___ playing board games.
The children prefer watching videos to playing board games.
Bernadette learned ___ speak Catalan in middle school.
Bernadette learned to speak Catalan in middle school.
The purchasing manager decided ___ prioritize overseas suppliers.
The purchasing manager decided to prioritize overseas suppliers.
Everyone in the team is expected ___ participate in the upcoming company event.
Everyone in the team is expected to participate in the upcoming company event.
to a certain extent
hasta cierto punto
The executives agree with the client ___ a certain extent, but they are unwilling to spend beyond the budget.
The executives agree with the client to a certain extent, but they are unwilling to spend beyond the budget.
unwilling
reacio / poco dispuesto
to (one’s) credit
hay que reconocer que
___ his credit, Paul already owned three restaurants before he turned 30.
To his credit, Paul already owned three restaurants before he turned 30.
to excess
en exceso
Myra’s savings increased after months of not shopping ___ excess.
Myra’s savings increased after months of not shopping to excess.
to date
hasta la fecha
His speech is the most meaningful we have ever heard ___ date.
His speech is the most meaningful we have ever heard to date.
The flowers on the desk are ___ you.
The flowers on the desk are for you.
The funds ___ several charities will be available next month.
The funds for several charities will be available next month.
The researchers explained their findings ___ two hours.
The researchers explained their findings for two hours.
Your interview ___ May 5 will be at 2:00 p.m.
Your interview for May 5 will be at 2:00 p.m.
Rina traded her mid-range phone ___ a camera.
Rina traded her mid-range phone for a camera.
The procurement team is exchanging its old computers ___ the latest laptops.
The procurement team is exchanging its old computers for the latest laptops.
Kristine thanked me ___ helping with her report.
Kristine thanked me for helping with her report.
Because I do not know how to speak Japanese, Satomi did the product presentation ___ me.
Because I do not know how to speak Japanese, Satomi did the product presentation for me.
Completing this course will be great ___ your career.
Completing this course will be great for your career.
Reading short news articles is ideal ___ language learning.
Reading short news articles is ideal for language learning.
She is ___ four-day work weeks.
She is for four-day work weeks.
Are you ___ or against cashless purchases?
Are you for or against cashless purchases?
for the record
para que conste
___ the record, Bob submitted the report but it was incomplete.
For the record, Bob submitted the report but it was incomplete.
In this supermarket, customers get items ___ free if they buy goods over $500.
In this supermarket, customers get items for free if they buy goods over $500.
for a living
para ganarse la vida
Leo teaches college algebra ___ a living
Leo teaches college algebra for a living
for good
para siempre / definitivamente
The family settled in Seoul ___ good.
The family settled in Seoul for good.
Summary
The prepositions “to” and “for” can be used interchangeably to state the reason for doing something. “To” is followed by a verb, while “for” is followed by a noun.
“To” is also used when:
- identifying the direction, destination, or recipient of something
- telling the time or its duration
- expressing preferences
- introducing infinitives that follow certain verbs, like “allow” or “learn”
- forming idiomatic expressions, like “to excess” or “to date”
“For” is used when:
- identifying the direction, destination, or recipient of something
- describing a period of time or a future event
- indicating a substitution
- expressing gratitude or talking about a favor done
- talking about the benefits of something
- showing agreement or support for something
- forming idiomatic expressions, such as “for good” or “for a living”
