We use for in countless everyday expressions: for now, for sure, for fun, for a change and for instance, to name just a few. These prepositional phrases with for may be short, but they can make your English sound considerably more natural and expressive. In this lesson, you will learn 18 useful expressions, together with their meanings, usage notes and natural example sentences.
Many of them are fixed expressions, which means that their wording does not normally change. Translating them word for word may not work, so it is best to learn each phrase as a complete unit.
These expressions are particularly useful for learners preparing for the B2 First (FCE) and C1 Advanced (CAE) exams. However, you need to pay attention to register: some can be used in formal writing, while others are better suited to conversation, informal emails and articles.
Learning these prepositional phrases with for as complete units will help you use them accurately and confidently.
Let’s begin.
1. As for someone or something
Meaning: used to introduce a new subject or return to one that has already been mentioned.
- The accommodation has already been arranged. As for transport, we can decide that later.
Usage note: This expression is useful in both speaking and writing. It can help you move smoothly from one point to another.
2. For ever or forever
Meaning: for all time; permanently.
- Some traditional crafts may disappear forever if they are not protected.
In British English, for ever is traditionally written as two words when it means for all time. However, forever is also extremely common. When it means continually or very frequently, it is normally written as one word:
- He is forever complaining about the weather.
3. For all
Meaning: despite something or in spite of something.
- For all his experience, he was unable to solve the problem.
Usage note: This is a relatively formal expression and can be useful in essays and reports.
4. For now
Meaning: until a later time; temporarily.
- Let’s leave the furniture where it is for now.
5. For fun
Meaning: for pleasure or entertainment rather than for a serious or practical reason.
- We started learning Italian for fun during lockdown.
6. For hire
Meaning: available to rent.
- There are several small boats for hire by the lake.
British English note: In American English, for rent is more commonly used for houses, flats, cars and equipment.
7. For long
Meaning: for a long period of time.
This expression is most often used in questions and negative sentences.
- He didn’t stay in his new job for long.
Be careful not to confuse for long with a long time:
- She lived there for a long time.
- She didn’t live there for long.
8. For real
Meaning: genuine, true or serious rather than imaginary, false or a joke.
- Is this offer for real, or is it some kind of joke?
Usage note: This expression is informal and is best used in conversation, informal emails, stories and articles rather than formal essays.
9. For sure
Meaning: definitely or without doubt.
- I don’t know for sure what caused the problem.
Usage note: Although common in speech, for sure can sound informal. In formal writing, use alternatives such as certainly, definitely or without doubt.
Avoid placing it unnaturally at the end of every sentence:
- Less natural: This method will help you pass the exam for sure.
- Better: This method will certainly improve your chances of passing the exam.
10. For nothing
This expression has two common meanings.
a) Without paying; for free
- A friend gave me the book for nothing.
b) Without achieving anything; with no useful result
- After walking all that way, we discovered that the office was closed. We had made the journey for nothing.
To mean without a good reason, it is often more natural to say for no reason:
- They started arguing for no reason.
11. To die for
Meaning: extremely attractive, enjoyable or delicious.
- The chocolate cake at that café is to die for.
Usage note: This expression is informal and often deliberately exaggerated. It is suitable for conversations, reviews and informal articles, but not for formal writing.
12. For instance
Meaning: for example.
- Some countries, Switzerland, for instance, have more than one official language.
Usage note: For instance is suitable for both formal and informal English and is particularly useful when developing ideas in essays.
13. For a laugh
Meaning: as a joke or simply for amusement.
- They entered the competition for a laugh but unexpectedly won first prize.
Usage note: This expression is informal and especially common in British English.
14. For a song
Meaning: for a very low price; very cheaply.
- They bought the old cottage for a song and renovated it themselves.
Usage note: This is an informal idiomatic expression. It does not literally have anything to do with singing!
15. For starters
Meaning: used to introduce the first item, reason or example in a list.
- For starters, we need to decide how much money we can spend.
Usage note: This expression is common in spoken and relatively informal written English. In a formal essay or report, to begin with or firstly may be more appropriate.
16. For the better
Meaning: in a way that improves a situation.
- The town has changed considerably for the better.
The opposite expression is for the worse:
- Many residents believe that the neighbourhood has changed for the worse.
17. For a change
Meaning: used when someone does something different from what they usually do.
- Why don’t we stay at home for a change?
Depending on the speaker’s tone, this expression can sometimes sound critical or impatient:
- You could arrive on time for a change.
18. Be meant for someone or something
Meaning: to be particularly suitable or intended for a particular person, purpose or situation.
- This course is meant for learners who already have a good knowledge of English.
Do not confuse be meant for with be meant to:
- be meant for + noun: This book is meant for B2 learners.
- be meant to + verb: You are meant to complete the task in forty minutes.
Final Thoughts
Learning prepositional phrases with for will help you understand everyday English and express yourself more naturally. Rather than memorising the word for in isolation, learn complete expressions such as for now, for instance and for a change.
Choose three phrases from this lesson and write one original sentence with each. Using them in your own examples will help you remember them for much longer.
Practise Prepositions and Fixed Expressions for C1 Advanced
Knowing the meaning of an expression is a good beginning, but you also need to recognise it when it appears in an exam task.
300 C1 Advanced Open Cloze Questions gives you focused practice with prepositions, fixed expressions, linking words, articles, pronouns and other small words commonly tested in C1 Advanced Reading and Use of English Part 2.
Related posts:
- 23 Prepositional Phrases with IN
- 50 Prepositional Phrases with AT
- 30 Prepositional Phrases with ON
- 20 Prepositional Phrases with BY
- 40 Prepositional Phrases with WITH
Discover more from My Lingua Academy
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
0 Comments