To Me vs. For Me: Which Preposition Is Correct?
My new English course is really important TO me or FOR me – which one is correct? Or what about this sentence: I made a birthday cake TO my sister or FOR my sister?
In a small group discussion with my Fluency School course last month, I had a fantastic question from a student: “Which one is correct: TO me or FOR me? I always get confused.”
Everyone in the group agreed.
To and for are super frustrating prepositions in English. Even I agree! So I thought it was the perfect topic for a Confident English lesson. My goal is to make these confusing prepositions as simple and clear as possible for you.
Today’s lesson is focused on three situations when both TO or FOR can be used in a sentence. Did you know that sometimes both can be used? It’s true. However, you do need to understand the difference between the prepositions and how to use them correctly. And that’s exactly what you’ll learn in today’s video.
That means you can stop feeling nervous because you’re not sure about which preposition to chose. Now you’ll know. 🙂
“My goal is to make these confusing prepositions as simple and clear as possible for you. Today’s lesson is focused on three situations when both TO or FOR can be used in a sentence.”
Feeling confused? You won’t after this video.
Lesson by Annemarie
And now I’d love to hear from you!
Have you ever felt confused by TO vs. FOR in English? If so, how did today’s video lesson help you? Here’s my challenge:
Choose 1 situation from the video and share your own example sentences. I want you to practice using to and for correctly.
The best place to share your thoughts and your examples are in the comments section below. You’ll get feedback and the opportunity to learn from others in the Confident English Community.
Have a fantastic Wednesday and I’ll see you next week.
Annemarie
Get the Confidence to Say What You Want in English
Download my free training on how to build the courage and confidence you need to say what you want in English.
You'll also get my Confident English lessons delivered by email every Wednesday and occasional information about available courses. You can unsubscribe any time.
Similar Lessons
Learn with me
Fluency School
Job Interviews
Most Recent Lessons
10 English Collocations with Say (A Smart Way to Sound More Fluent)
English collocations are the words that native English speakers combine naturally. Like make new friends (not create new friends). Learn 10 English collocations with the word say to sound more natural and fluent in your English conversation.
Present Perfect in English (Use It Correctly Every Time)
Avoid common mistakes and learn how to use the present perfect in English correctly — every time. Understand when and how to use it, plus all the examples you need.
Advanced English vs. Clear Communication — with Special Guest Shanthi
Advice on how to communicate clearly in English and avoid the pressure of using advanced, high-level English. Join me for this special guest interview with Shanthi from English with a Twist.
Hi Annemarie,
I always used to struggle understanding the basic idea of using “to” & “for” particularly in the 3rd example given by you in the video. This lesson was very important for me . Many many many many many thanks . You have made my day.
Many thanks, it was really helpful for me! 🙂
I’m so glad it was helpful, Adriana! 🙂
Clear and completely helpful!!!
Thanks
I’m so glad it was helpful to you!
Hi Annemarie. Your grammar lessons are really helpful. Can you give me some more tips for writing. I have an exam in July; exam called IELTS. My grammar is really bad, and i want to improve my writing skills. Thanks
Many thanks, this lesson was very helpful for me .
You’re super welcome, Zahra. I’m glad it was useful.
Hello from Pakistan Annemarie !!!
It is always a sense of satisfaction gaining some logical knowledge and you just contributed to that satisfaction…thanku so much for such great effort.
Enjoyed a lot!
Hello Bisma.
Great! I’m so glad to know this was helpful to you. Thank you for sharing.
Best,
Annemarie
Hello Annemarie! I’m so happy to join you! A friend of mine has told me about your tips and I loved all the useful lessons I’ve already watched here! Thanks so much! 🙂
Hello Marcela,
Wonderful! I’m thrilled to have you join and so happy to know your friend recommended my lessons. Thank you for sharing that and I hope you enjoy the weekly Confident English lessons.
Best, Annemarie
Wow. I love it. It was very clearly lesson.
Great, Jurga! Thank you and I’m glad it was useful.
It is really interesting and important video for me. it is easy to understand what is the difference between To me vs for me. Thank very much for the useful video.
with best,
ana
Hi Ana,
Oh, I’m so happy to know this lesson was helpful to you! And great use of an “important video for me.” 🙂
Best, Annemarie
It is interesting video, helps me to communcate well.
Thank you so much
Hello Ibrahim,
Wonderful. I’m happy to know this lesson has helped you.
Thank you and well done madam. I really appreciate your free English education.
You’re so welcome, Ekaete. Thank you for your comment.
Hi Annemarie
I am started following you long time back, But not given enough time to watch your videos and lesson, But from last 1 week i was watching your older videos as well as it is vey exciting and easy way to teach english.
Thanks a ton for your videos and it is very important to me.
Hello Mani,
Thank you for your comment and it’s great to have your re-join the weekly lessons! 🙂 I’m very happy to know my lessons are helpful to you.
Hi Annemarie,
As always the lesson and the lecture are very beneficial. As I kept following the speakconfidentenglish lessons, I feel excited for every Wednesday’s lesson to arrive in my inbox. Even though using To and For prepositions appear to be quite intuitive, they are very confusing as well. Understanding these grey areas in English is very important for me. While I wait for Part 2 of this lesson, thank you for your wonderful job and good bye until next Wednesday!
Thanks so much, Hari. And great use of “is very important for me.”
I am thrilled that you enjoy my Wednesday lessons.
We have spent two marvelous rest days in our familiar cottage, and it was important for us. Silence has come to me and made peace in me.
I bought two tomato seedlings, one of them for my wife, and the other for my mother. I planted them, I ordered them to produce a lot of tomatoes for the joy of the ladies. It is important to me sharing with you these informations in connection with this Wednesday lesson.
Thanks so much for sharing, András. What a lovely weekend. And good use of “important for us” and “important to me.”
Hello my best Tutor
Thank you very much for your help and advice
i reaaly appreciate your interesting work
All your videos are very important for me
Best Regards
Hello Farid,
You’re very welcome. I’m glad to know my lessons are helpful to you!
Hi Annemarie,
I feel like I really learnt something new today, it’s very helpful
Great, Sanjeev. I’m very happy to hear that.
Thank you very much for this video! It’s been a bit confusing for me when to use ‘ important for me’ and ‘important to me’. I#m looking forward to your next lesson on this toipic.
Hi Lilianne,
I’m very happy to know this was useful to you! Do you want to try using the expressions in your own sentences for practice?
I’ve learned the meaning of important to me!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
It’s important for me to speak confident and fluent English, because if I do I’ll be able to pass OPI in English.
My dad’s police uniform hat is important to me, because it’s the only thing I have left that is my dad’s.
Thank you very much!
Hi Milla,
Great!! 🙂
You’ve provided two very good examples of important to me vs. important for me. Well done!
And wow – you’re going to take the OPI! I wish you much success.
Thank you for sharing your comments and examples.
I liked this video it proved to be beneficial for me. 😁
Hi Chi,
Wonderful. I’m so glad it was useful.
hi ma’am, annemarie, thank you very much for the efforts that you extended to me it’s very useful video and i liked it so much.
Hello Aireen,
You’re very welcome. I’m so glad the video lesson was useful to you. Thank you for your comment.