The rule, as people use it

"For" points toward something. Most of its everyday jobs grow out of that one idea.

It points at the person who gets something: a gift for my brother, a message for you. It points at a purpose: a knife for bread, a trip for work, "What's this button for?" And in a store or restaurant it points at what you want: "I'm looking for the shoe section," "Can I have the soup for lunch?"

The job learners need most is length of time. "For" plus a period tells how long: for ten minutes, for three weeks, for years. It's the partner of the present perfect, because that tense links a past start to the present moment. "I've lived here for six years" means you still live here. Compare "since", which takes the starting point instead: since 2019, since Monday.

Examples

Tap a sentence to hear it. Say it after the voice.

Fill the gap

Type the missing words, then check. The full sentence plays when you get it.

  1. 1

    I made this soup (you), so eat it while it's hot.

  2. 2

    We've lived in this apartment (five years).

  3. 3

    She went to London (a job interview).

  4. 4

    Excuse me, I'm looking (the train station).

  5. 5

    He's been sick (Monday).

  6. 6

    Thanks (help) me move last weekend.

  7. 7

    Can you watch my bag (a minute)?

  8. 8

    This room is (guests) only.

Practice · 3 min

Answer each question in a full sentence with "for", then say them all out loud.

  • When did you move into your current home? I've lived here for ___ .
  • What was the last thing you bought for someone else? I bought ___ for ___ .
  • Why are you learning English? I'm learning it for ___ .
  • What's something in your kitchen used for one job only? A ___ is for ___ .
  • Who do you want to thank this week, and for what? Thanks for ___ .

Say it today

Use it once in a real conversation before tomorrow. Out loud counts, even to yourself.