Go Fluent - To or For

Question 1

I drink milk ___ sleep better.

Answer 1

I drink milk to sleep better. (verb)

Question 2

I drink milk ___ better sleep.

Answer 2

I drink milk for better sleep. (noun)

Question 3

Helga reads books ___ relieve stress.

Answer 3

Helga reads books to relieve stress. (verb)

Question 4

Helga reads books ___ stress relief.

Answer 4

Helga reads books for stress relief. (noun)

Question 5

Daniel walks ___ the office every day.

Answer 5

Daniel walks to the office every day.

Question 6

The secretary gave the report ___ the manager before the meeting.

Answer 6

The secretary gave the report to the manager before the meeting.

Question 7

It’s 15 minutes ___ 10. (It’s 9:45.)

Answer 7

It’s 15 minutes to 10. (It’s 9:45.)

Question 8

Rachel works ___ 8:00 a.m. ___ 3:00 p.m.

Answer 8

Rachel works from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Question 9

Carla prefers apples ___ grapes.

Answer 9

Carla prefers apples to grapes.

Question 10

The children prefer watching videos ___ playing board games.

Answer 10

The children prefer watching videos to playing board games.

Question 11

Bernadette learned ___ speak Catalan in middle school.

Answer 11

Bernadette learned to speak Catalan in middle school.

Question 12

The purchasing manager decided ___ prioritize overseas suppliers.

Answer 12

The purchasing manager decided to prioritize overseas suppliers.

Question 13

Everyone in the team is expected ___ participate in the upcoming company event.

Answer 13

Everyone in the team is expected to participate in the upcoming company event.

Question 14

to a certain extent

Answer 14

hasta cierto punto

Question 15

The executives agree with the client ___ a certain extent, but they are unwilling to spend beyond the budget.

Answer 15

The executives agree with the client to a certain extent, but they are unwilling to spend beyond the budget.

Question 16

unwilling

Answer 16

reacio / poco dispuesto

Question 17

to (one’s) credit

Answer 17

hay que reconocer que

Question 18

___ his credit, Paul already owned three restaurants before he turned 30.

Answer 18

To his credit, Paul already owned three restaurants before he turned 30.

Question 19

to excess

Answer 19

en exceso

Question 20

Myra’s savings increased after months of not shopping ___ excess.

Answer 20

Myra’s savings increased after months of not shopping to excess.

Question 21

to date

Answer 21

hasta la fecha

Question 22

His speech is the most meaningful we have ever heard ___ date.

Answer 22

His speech is the most meaningful we have ever heard to date.

Question 23

The flowers on the desk are ___ you.

Answer 23

The flowers on the desk are for you.

Question 24

The funds ___ several charities will be available next month.

Answer 24

The funds for several charities will be available next month.

Question 25

The researchers explained their findings ___ two hours.

Answer 25

The researchers explained their findings for two hours.

Question 26

Your interview ___ May 5 will be at 2:00 p.m.

Answer 26

Your interview for May 5 will be at 2:00 p.m.

Question 27

Rina traded her mid-range phone ___ a camera.

Answer 27

Rina traded her mid-range phone for a camera.

Question 28

The procurement team is exchanging its old computers ___ the latest laptops.

Answer 28

The procurement team is exchanging its old computers for the latest laptops.

Question 29

Kristine thanked me ___ helping with her report.

Answer 29

Kristine thanked me for helping with her report.

Question 30

Because I do not know how to speak Japanese, Satomi did the product presentation ___ me.

Answer 30

Because I do not know how to speak Japanese, Satomi did the product presentation for me.

Question 31

Completing this course will be great ___ your career.

Answer 31

Completing this course will be great for your career.

Question 32

Reading short news articles is ideal ___ language learning.

Answer 32

Reading short news articles is ideal for language learning.

Question 33

She is ___ four-day work weeks.

Answer 33

She is for four-day work weeks.

Question 34

Are you ___ or against cashless purchases?

Answer 34

Are you for or against cashless purchases?

Question 35

for the record

Answer 35

para que conste

Question 36

___ the record, Bob submitted the report but it was incomplete.

Answer 36

For the record, Bob submitted the report but it was incomplete.

Question 37

In this supermarket, customers get items ___ free if they buy goods over $500.

Answer 37

In this supermarket, customers get items for free if they buy goods over $500.

Question 38

for a living

Answer 38

para ganarse la vida

Question 39

Leo teaches college algebra ___ a living

Answer 39

Leo teaches college algebra for a living

Question 40

for good

Answer 40

para siempre / definitivamente

Question 41

The family settled in Seoul ___ good.

Answer 41

The family settled in Seoul for good.

Question 42

Summary

Answer 42

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”