TO and FOR in English — How to Choose the Right Preposition

Oct 18, 2017 | Grammar

Is it okay to say, “I’ve decided to sign up TO a marathon this year?”

If you’re reading that sentence again and again but you’re not sure, that’s okay. Making the right choice for which preposition to use is never an easy task.

But you’re in luck! Today’s lesson helps you choose between TO and FOR correctly in English.

Here’s the answer. We cannot say, “I’ve decided to sign up TO a marathon this year.” It doesn’t work in English. Instead, we would say, “I’ve decided to sign up FOR a marathon this year.” But why?

A few months ago, I shared Part 1 of this lesson with you. We focused on situations when both TO or FOR can be correct in a sentence but with small differences in meaning.

In today’s Confident English lesson, we’ll step this one step further. We’ll look at simple guidelines for when only one choice – between to and for – is possible. I’ve also shared several examples so you can clearly so how these guidelines are used in real life English.

And finally, I have two surprisingly simple things you can do to make sure you learn these rules and can use them easily.

Simple guidelines for making the right choice between to and for in English.

Lesson by Annemarie

After you’ve watched the video, be sure to take this opportunity to practice!

Remeber these two keys for learning these guidelines for daily English: real-life use and repetition. Use this lesson to start that practice.

Choose a few guidelines from the lesson and create your own examples. Use your real life to help you.
Then share your examples below. It’s the best place to communicate and get feedback from me. Plus you can review and comments on posts from others in the Confident English Community.

Have a fantastic Confident English Wednesday!

~ Annemarie

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Andrea Carolina Jaramillo Contreras

6 years ago

Everyday I use my bike for going to my work . However, as my meeting was schedule for Monday at 8pm I will go by bus. I am lucky that I didn’t forget this meeting because I always use my phone for organizing my activities. Sometimes when I arrive early home I cook for my housemates, I prefer to cook more vegetables than meat because it is better for my health. As I have been working so hard, I decided to go to Frankfurt this weekend. I am going to meet there with a friend of mine from El Salvador… Read more »

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Annemarie

Reply to Andrea Carolina Jaramillo Contreras

Great work with to vs. for in your comments, Andrea! Impressive.

vincenza

I’ve been working in naples for 5 years.
My job interview is rescheduled for Monday.
I’ve bought a new car for going to work easily.
Can I do something for you?
Speaking is the best thing to do for a young couple of bride and groom
I studied english everyday for my next job interview

I’m going to New York for my honeymoon
I think we’re going to stay from 28 to 30 of august
I’ve written to all my friends to get advices about the must-visit places of the city

Andras Gelley

Dear Annemarie, I had a busy workday, and I was tired arriving home and I nothing want to do, but your Wednesday lesson arrived and I missed all other news for your lesson, to listen to you. I would have been a concert for charity, but Our daughter unexpectedly entered a quarter to my leave for a common supper. A meeting with my dear daughter is always beneficial for me. She explored a new place for her mare foal, and we were planning for our first visit there. It takes approximately 1,5 hours by car to get there.