for

The gift is for you.

Definition

1. Preposition:

   • In support of; in favor of: Used to indicate support, advocacy, or being on the side of someone or something.
   • Intended to belong to, be received by, or benefit: Used to indicate the intended recipient, beneficiary, or purpose of an action or thing.
   • Because of; as a result of: Used to indicate a reason or cause.
   • With the purpose or object of; in order to achieve: Used to indicate an aim, goal, or intended outcome.
   • Representing; in place of; on behalf of: Used to indicate substitution, representation, or acting as an agent.
   • In exchange for; at the cost of: Used to indicate a price, rate, or equivalent.
   • Concerning; with regard to: Used to indicate the subject or focus of a feeling, action, or quality.
   • Considering the nature or usual character of: Used to introduce a statement about something's typical qualities.
   • During; throughout the duration of: Used to indicate a period of time.
   • In the direction of; toward: Used to indicate a destination or goal of movement.

2. Conjunction:

   • Because; since: Used to introduce a clause giving a reason (archaic or formal).

Usage Examples

• Preposition:

  • I voted for the new policy. (Indicating support)
  • This gift is for you. (Indicating intended recipient)
  • She was praised for her hard work. (Indicating reason)
  • He went to the store for milk. (Indicating purpose)
  • I am speaking for the entire team. (Indicating representation)
  • I bought this book for ten dollars. (Indicating exchange)
  • My concern for your safety is genuine. (Indicating subject of feeling)
  • He is very strong for a child his age. (Introducing a statement about typical qualities)
  • We lived there for five years. (Indicating duration)
  • The train leaves for London at noon. (Indicating direction/destination)

• Conjunction:

  • He felt no fear, for he was a brave man. (Because he was a brave man)

Advanced Usage

• "For all (that)": Despite; in spite of.
  • For all his wealth, he is not happy.
• "As for": Concerning; with reference to (often used to introduce a new topic or shift focus).
  • I like the plan. As for the cost, we'll discuss it later.
• "But for": Except for; if it were not for.
  • But for your help, I would have failed.
• "For good": Permanently; forever.
  • She left the country for good.

Variants and Related Words

• For- (prefix): A prefix, now mostly archaic, meaning "away," "off," or "against," as in (to command against), (to lose from the mind), (to give up resentment).
• Forasmuch as (conjunction, archaic): Inasmuch as; because.

Synonyms

• Because of (preposition): On account of; by reason of.
• In favor of (preposition): Supporting; approving.
• On behalf of (preposition): As a representative of.
• Toward(s) (preposition): In the direction of.
• Since (conjunction): Because; for the reason that.

Related Phrases (Phrasal Verbs)

(Note: 'For' is a preposition, not a verb particle, so it does not form phrasal verbs. However, it is part of many common verb + preposition combinations.) - Account for: To explain or give a reason for. - Can you account for your absence? - Allow for: To take into consideration; to make provision for. - We must allow for traffic delays. - Go for: To try to get or achieve; to attack. - He decided to go for the promotion. - Stand for: To represent; to tolerate. - What does this acronym stand for? I won't stand for such rudeness.

Related Idioms

• For the time being: Temporarily; for now.
  • This solution will work for the time being.
• For the sake of: For the purpose or benefit of; out of consideration for.
  • He did it for the sake of his family.
• For better or (for) worse: Whether the outcome is good or bad.
  • We're in this together, for better or worse.
• For all I know/care: Used to express that one has no knowledge of or interest in something.
  • He could be in China for all I know.
• A word to the wise is sufficient (or for the wise): A hint or brief advice is enough for a smart person.