for

The word “for” means intended to benefit, belong to, or be given to someone or something. In plain terms, one of the most common words in English, used to show purpose, reason, support, exchange, or duration.

“For” is pronounced faw (/fɔɹ/ in IPA).

Here is “for” used in a sentence: “I bought this gift for my sister.”

The opposite of “for” — its antonyms — is against.

Depending on how it is used, “for” can be a preposition and a conjunction.

The word “for” comes from Old English. From Old English for, going back to a Proto-Germanic root meaning "before" or "in front of" — related to German für and Dutch voor.

“For” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.

“For” has 6 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: intended to benefit, belong to, or be given to someone or something.

"For" is used with a length of time: "for two hours", "for ten years." "Since" is used with the point when something started: "since Monday", "since 2015." Both commonly appear with perfect tenses: "I have lived here for ten years" or "since 2015."

Purpose with a verb takes "to" plus the infinitive: "I went out to buy milk." "For" expresses purpose with a noun, or with an -ing form describing what a thing is used for: "a knife for cutting bread", "medicine for headaches." Combinations like "for to buy" or "for buy" are incorrect.

Yes. "For" can introduce a reason: "He spoke quietly, for the baby was asleep." This use is formal and literary; in everyday English "because" or "since" is more natural.

"For" answers "how long?" with a duration: "It rained for three days." "During" answers "when?" by naming the period in which something happened: "It rained during the night." You cannot say "during three days" to express duration.