The differences between TO and FOR in English

Hey, do you want to do something tonight? Sorry, I’m busy.

I’m studying a lot for pass my exam. To pass your exam.

So, let’s do something tomorrow. Tomorrow, I can’t.

I’m going to buy a present to my mother’s birthday.

For your mother’s birthday. So, that’s nice. What are you going to buy?

I’m going to buy a purse to give for her.

To give to her.

Hey everyone.

Welcome to another video on the channel.

Some things in English are quite tricky to learn

depending on your native language.

Like yourself, speakers often get

confused with which one, to or for, to use as they both

have the same translation in Portuguese or Spanish, Para.

So in today’s video you’ll learn how to use to and for once and for all.

Let’s take a look at these phrases.

I studied really hard to pass my exam.

I bought a present for my mother’s birthday.

Notice what comes after the word to and for.

In the first case it’s the verb pass.

Remember, a verb is a word that means some kind of action.

In the second case, my mother’s birthday,

it’s a noun.

So we use to and for when we are giving a reason for something.

To, when the reason is a verb, is an action. And for, when the reason is a noun.

Seems quite simple, right?

How about a quick quiz to practice this rule?

Now that you understand the basic rule of to and for,

let’s take a look at some specific uses for each one of them.

We also use to when we talk about places, like I went to Japan.

Or when we are comparing, such as I prefer summer to winter.

And when we give something, like I gave a book to my sister.

Some specific uses of for are talking about benefits.

Getting exercise is good for your health.

Also when we are talking about times and dates.

Like, I made a dentist appointment for April 2nd.

As well as when we agree with something, such as,

are you for or against recycling?

Now let’s review and practice everything we learned today.

Congratulations.

You have finally learned the difference of to and for.

If that’s the case, give the video a big like,

and share it with someone who also needs to learn this.

And let me know in the comments section what other topics you

have difficulty with.

I’ll see you soon. Bye.