Prepositional Phrases with FOR

Prepositional Phrases with FOR: 18 Useful Expressions

We use the word for all the time in English — often without even thinking about it. We say for now, for sure, for fun, for a change, for instance… and dozens of other small phrases that quietly make our English sound more natural, more fluent, and more native-like. But here is the interesting part: many of these are fixed prepositional phrases. You can’t translate them word for word, and you can’t usually change them. You simply have to learn them as complete expressions. The good news? Once you do, your English instantly becomes richer, more idiomatic, and much more confident — especially in B2 First (FCE) and C1 Advanced (CAE) writing and speaking. In this lesson, you will learn 18 extremely useful prepositional phrases with for, each with a clear meaning and natural example sentences.

Let’s begin.

As for (someone/something)

Meaning: when talking about or changing the topic to someone or something.

• As for food and drinks, don’t worry — everything is already organised.
• I’ve finished my work. As for John, he’s still in the office.

For ever / Forever

Meaning: for all time; permanently.

• Sadly, many old buildings are gone forever.
• I’ll remember that day forever.

For all

Meaning: in spite of; despite.

• For all his efforts, he still failed the exam.
• For all her talent, she remains very modest.

For now

Meaning: until later; temporarily.

• Let’s stay here for now and decide later.
• I’ll leave it like this for now.

For fun

Meaning: for pleasure or entertainment, not seriously.

• She plays the piano just for fun.
• We started learning Italian for fun during lockdown.

For hire

Meaning: available to rent.

• There’s a small boat for hire by the lake.
• The shop has bikes for hire.

For long

Meaning: for a long time (usually in negative sentences).

• He didn’t stay in the job for long.
• I can’t wait for you for long.

For real

Meaning: seriously; truly; not joking or not fake.

• Is this for real, or are you joking?
• The first alarm was false, but the second one was for real.

For sure

Meaning: definitely; without doubt.

• I don’t know for sure what happened.
• This will help you pass the exam for sure.

For nothing

Meaning:

1. a) for free
2. b) without any good reason

• He gave away his old bike for nothing.
• They’re arguing for nothing.

To die for

Meaning: extremely attractive, desirable, or delicious (informal).

• That chocolate cake is to die for.
• She bought a dress that’s absolutely to die for.

For instance

Meaning: for example.

• Some countries — Switzerland, for instance — have more than one official language.
• You could try yoga, for instance.

For a laugh

Meaning: as a joke; for fun.

• They did it for a laugh, but it went too far.
• I only said it for a laugh.

For a song

Meaning: very cheaply.

• They bought the house for a song.
• I got this jacket for a song in a sale.

For starters

Meaning: used to introduce the first point in a list of reasons or plans.

• For starters, let’s check the tickets.
• For starters, he arrived late — and then he forgot the documents.

For the better

Meaning: in a way that improves something.

• Things have changed for the better.
• Her life changed for the better after moving abroad.

For a change

Meaning: to do something different from what is usual.

• Why don’t you cook dinner for a change?
• Let’s walk instead of driving, for a change.

Be meant for

Meaning: to be ideally suitable for someone or something.

• This job is meant for you.
• They really are meant for each other.

Knowing prepositional phrases with FOR will make your English sound natural and fluent. They appear frequently in real conversations and are very useful in Cambridge exams (B2 & C1). They’re small, but powerful — like good grammar in a well-tailored suit. You don’t notice it immediately, but everyone else does.

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