for in English
- for⇄expr. be for it, (British Informal.) to be in trouble.
Ex. No one can sit on the same side of the room as Madame, and you're for it if she sees you leaning on the piano (Sunday Times). - for⇄expr. for (one) to, that one will, should, or must.
Ex. A secretary writes letters for her employer to sign. It is time for us to go. - for⇄expr. Oh, for, I wish that I might have.
Ex. Oh, for a swim! Oh, for a lodge in some vast wilderness (William Cowper). - for⇄for, preposition, conjunction.
- for⇄prep. 1. in place of; instead of.
Ex. We used boxes for chairs. He gave me a new book for the old one.
2. in support of; in favor of.
Ex. He stands for honest government. I am for giving everyone an equal opportunity.
3. represen
for in Malayalam മലയാളം
for in Sindhi سنڌي
for in Tamil தமிழ்
For
Part of Speech
Preposition
Pronunciation
for (/fɔːr/ or /fɔr/)
Definitions
- Preposition: Used to indicate the purpose or reason for something. Example: "She works for a large company."
- Preposition: Used to indicate the recipient of something. Example: "This gift is for you."
- Preposition: Used to express duration. Example: "He has lived here for two years."
- Preposition: Used to indicate a direction, place, or position. Example: "I am heading for the park."
Usage Examples
- She went to the store for some milk.
- This book is for children.
- He’s working hard for his family.
- They left for the airport early this morning.
Etymology
The word "for" comes from the Old English "for," which means "before" or "on account of." It traces back to Proto-Germanic *for, and has been used as a preposition for indicating various relationships, including purpose, direction, and time, since the early Middle Ages.
Synonyms
- To
- In favor of
- For the benefit of
- On behalf of
Antonyms
- Against
- Opposed to
Translations
| Language | Translation | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| Spanish | para | pah-rah |
| French | pour | poo-r |
| German | für | fyoor |
| Italian | per | pehr |
| Portuguese | para | pah-rah |
| Chinese (Simplified) | 为了 | wèi le |
| Japanese | ため | tame |
| Korean | 위해 | wihae |
| Russian | для | dlya |
| Arabic | من أجل | min ajl |
| Hindi | के लिए | ke liye |
| Bengali | জন্য | jonno |
| Punjabi | ਲਈ | laee |
| Gujarati | માટે | maṭe |
| Marathi | साठी | sāṭhī |
| Telugu | కోసం | kōsam |
| Tamil | க்காக | kāka |
| Malayalam | നിന്നും | niṉṉuṁ |
| Kannada | ಗೋಚರ | gōcara |
| Odia | ପାଇଁ | pāim |
| Sanskrit | सर्व | sarv |
| Maithili | के लेल | ke lel |
| Rajasthani | लाय | lāy |
Regional Pronunciation Variations
The pronunciation of "for" can vary depending on the accent and dialect. In American English, it is commonly pronounced as /fɔːr/, whereas in British English, it is often pronounced as /fɔr/ with a more distinct vowel sound. In some parts of the UK, "for" might also be shortened to a quick /fə/ in casual speech.
Historical Usage
The preposition "for" has been used in the English language for centuries, originally appearing in Old English texts as "for," which was used to indicate various relationships such as purpose, time, and cause. Its use has evolved over time but it remains one of the most frequently used prepositions in English.
Cultural Nuances
The word "for" carries significant cultural weight, especially in terms of its use in social and commercial contexts. For example, in charity work, the word is central to expressing intent, as in "for the benefit of others." It is also a key part of legal language, indicating a transfer of rights or purpose, as in "for consideration" in contracts.
More Information
The word "for" is one of the most essential and versatile prepositions in English. It connects actions with purposes, recipients, reasons, and durations, playing a critical role in sentence construction. While its basic function has remained the same over the centuries, its usage spans across a wide variety of contexts, from everyday speech to formal writing, making it indispensable in communication.