English Profile

for · preposition

/fɔːr/Full view

for (GIVEN/USED)

A1 intended to be given to or used by someone or something

Dictionary examples:

There's a message for you.

I'd better buy something for the new baby.

Learner example:

This is my information for you. (Skills for Life (Entry 1); A1; French)

for (TIME/DISTANCE)

A1 used to show an amount of time or distance

Dictionary examples:

She's out of the office for a few days next week.

I'm just going to rest for an hour or so.

I haven't played tennis for years.

We drove for miles without seeing anyone.

Learner example:

I had a break for 20 minutes. (Skills for Life (Entry 1); A1; Portuguese)

for example

A1 used to give an example of the type of thing you mean

Dictionary examples:

I like soft fruit, for example, peaches and plums.

Some people, students for example, can get cheaper tickets.

Learner example:

You can make a quick snack, for example a sandwich. (Skills for Life (Entry 1); A1; German)

for (PURPOSE)

A2 having a particular purpose

Dictionary examples:

There's a sign there saying "boats for rent."

Which vitamins should you take for skin problems?

Learner example:

You [need] to bring your exer[c]ise book for art. (Key English Test; A2; Russian)

for (GET)

A2 in order to get or achieve something

Dictionary examples:

I hate waiting for the bus.

I had to run for the bus.

Did you send off for an application?

I've applied for a job with another computer company.

Learner example:

It's important to me because I['m] going to study for an exam. (Key English Test; A2; Spanish)

for (PAYMENT)

A2 in exchange for something, especially an amount of money

Dictionary examples:

How much did you pay for your glasses?

She sold the house for quite a lot of money.

They've said they'll repair my car for $300.

Learner example:

I['m] sell[ing] it for 100 Euro. (Key English Test; A2; Italian)

for (OCCASION)

A2 on the occasion of

Dictionary examples:

What did you buy him for Christmas?

We're having a party for Jim's 60th birthday.

Learner example:

I'm tired because I ha[d] a party yesterday for my birthday. (Key English Test; A2; French)

for (AT A TIME)

A2 at a particular time

Dictionary examples:

I made a reservation at the restaurant for nine o'clock.

We can give you an appointment for 10:15.

Learner example:

Can we rearrange the time for five o'clock? (Preliminary English Test; B1; Portuguese)

for (BECAUSE OF)

A2 because of or as a result of something

Dictionary examples:

He got fined for leaving his car in a no-parking zone.

The things you do for love!

Scotland is famous for its beautiful countryside.

He's best remembered for his novels.

Learner example:

It is famous for "paella" but we have many dif[f]erent kind[s] of food. (Skills for Life (Entry 2); A2; Spanish)

for (MEANING)

A2 showing meaning

Dictionary examples:

What's the Czech word for "book"?

"What does J. L. stand for?" "José Luis."

for (TOWARD)

A2 toward or in the direction of

Dictionary examples:

They looked as if they were heading for the train station.

Just follow signs for Cleveland.

This time tomorrow we'll be setting off for Peru.

for sale

A2 available to buy

Dictionary examples:

Is this painting for sale?

Our neighbors put their house up for sale last week.

Learner example:

For sale: "Olympus" camera + bag. (Key English Test; A2; French)

for (HELP)

B1 in order to help someone

Dictionary example:

I'll carry those bags for you.

Learner example:

I'd like to do something helpful for them. (First Certificate in English; B2; Japanese)

for (REPRESENTING)

B1 being employed by or representing a company, country, etc.

Dictionary examples:

She works for a charity.

He plays soccer for D.C. United.

He used to swim for his school team when he was younger.

Learner example:

He works for a company in Mexico. (Preliminary English Test; B1; Portuguese)

for ever

B1 always in the future

Dictionary example:

I'm not going to live here for ever.

Learner example:

My friend was leaving the city for ever and [going] to a city in another country. (Preliminary English Test; B1; Spanish)

for fun or for the fun of it

B1 for pleasure and not for any other reason

Dictionary example:

I ran but just for fun.

Learner example:

Fortunately I discovered that [the e-mail] wasn't for me. I didn't appreciate that there were people that were sending things like that just for fun. (Preliminary English Test; B1; Italian)

for sure

B1 without any doubt

Dictionary examples:

I think he's Canadian but I don't know for sure.

One thing's for sure - once the baby's born, your lives will never be the same again.

Learner example:

For sure, you'll love Brazil. (Preliminary English Test; B1; Portuguese)

for instance

B1 for example

Dictionary example:

In the electronics industry, for instance, 5000 people lost their jobs.

Learner example:

For instance, you can do mountain walks. (Preliminary English Test; B1; Swiss German)

for (SUPPORT)

B2 in support of or in agreement with

Dictionary examples:

I voted for the him at the last election.

So let's hear some applause for these talented young performers.

Learner example:

There are a lot of votes for and against keeping animals in cages. (First Certificate in English; B2; Polish)

for the moment

B2 If you do something for the moment, you are doing it now, but might do something different in the future.

Dictionary example:

Let's continue with what we already decided for the moment.

Learner example:

For the moment I am unemployed so I have plenty of time to give [you] a hand. (First Certificate in English; B2; Swedish)

for once

B2 used to mean that something is happening that does not usually happen

Dictionary example:

For once, the bus was on time.

Learner example:

We would take lots of pictures, and play our own instruments, and if we get lucky enough, we would even touch the very stones and for once be embraced by magic itself. (First Certificate in English; B2; Spanish)

for real

B2 taken seriously, not pretended

Dictionary example:

I thought it was just a practice, but apparently it was for real.

Learner example:

You know I am a Casanova, but this time I know [it] is for real. (First Certificate in English; B2; Spanish)

for (RESPONSIBILITY)

C1 used to say whose responsibility something is

Dictionary example:

I can't tell you whether you should go or not - that's for you to decide.

Learner example:

It is for you to decide whet[h]er my colleagues should take part in this kind of course or not, but all in all I would like to recommend this course. (Certificate in Advanced English; C1; Polish)

for (COMPARE)

C1 when compared to a particular fact

Dictionary example:

She's quite tall for her age.

Learner example:

She spends all day indoors "stuffing" her craving for knowledge with books quite hard for her age. (Certificate in Advanced English; C1; Italian)

for good

C1 forever

Dictionary example:

When he was 20, he left home for good.

Learner example:

He was renting this property previously, but he went back to Sri Lanka for good. (International English Language Testing System; C1; Singhalese)

for life

C1 for the whole of someone's life

Dictionary example:

I will have to take this medicine for life.

Learner example:

A wedding opens a new life when the two parties commit to each other for life. (International English Language Testing System; C1; French)

for long

C1 for a long time

Dictionary example:

We didn't have to wait for long.

Learner example:

My parents' generation, however, would not identi[f]y with this lifestyle for long. (Certificate in Advanced English; C1; German)

for all

C2 despite

Dictionary example:

For all her qualifications, she's useless at the job.

Learner example:

For all of his desire to be strong, Okonkwo is haunted [by] fear. (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; Catalan)

for the most part

C1 mostly or usually

Dictionary example:

I enjoyed it for the most part.

Learner example:

First of all, for the most part, people have to use computers in their jobs. (International English Language Testing System; C1; French)

for the best

C2 If something is for the best, it seems unpleasant now, but will improve a situation in the future.

Dictionary example:

Moving to a smaller apartment really was for the best.

Learner example:

It's a kind of sad thing to think about but maybe it's for the best. (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; Danish)

for fear of sth/doing sth

C2 because you are worried about something/doing something

Dictionary example:

I didn't want to move for fear of waking her up.

Learner example:

No one dared to turn around for fear of being bitterly disappointed. (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; French)

for one thing

C2 used to give a reason for something

Dictionary example:

You can't give Amy that shirt - for one thing it wont fit her.

Learner example:

Well, for one thing, you cannot spy on your subjects 24 hours a day - they would not allow it, and it would be prohibitively expensive. (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; Swedish)