To better understand the difference between the use of words I'm and for, we start with the definition of preposition. THE prepositionis a word that often appears in a sentence before a noun, pronoun or gerund, indicating movement, tense, direction, etc.|1| To find out which meaning the preposition refers to, we will explore the most common contexts ofI'mand for in the following sections.
See too: Difference between at the and none
When to use the I'm?
The wordforcan be translated from Portuguese to english as foror I'm, generating a lot of confusion among foreign language learners So, to clarify when to use each of the two prepositions, we will start by explaining the use of the preposition I'm. Come on!
See the main uses and meanings of I'm:
⇒ Movement
She went to the supermarket.
(She went to the supermarket.)
The path to the museum is really short.
(The way to the museum is really short.)
They should drive to Scotland.
(They should drive to Scotland.)
⇒Time
Synonymous with till/until = until
Larissa studied mathematics at 7 pm.
(Larissa studied math until 7 pm).
⇒ Time left for
Five weeks to Christmas.
(Five weeks to Christmas).
[publicity_omnia]
⇒ Expression from…to
They work from 8 am to 2 pm every day.
(They work from 8 am to 2 pm every day.)
Clara played football from Monday to Friday.
(Clara played football from Monday to Friday.)
⇒ When someone receives something
They gave a gift to celebrate her birthday.
(They gave her a present to celebrate her birthday.)
My Mother sent letters to me.
(My mother sent me letters.)
They got an invitation to his wedding.
(They received an invitation to his wedding.)
⇒ When something is said to someone
She talked to me about the weather.
(She talked to me about the weather.)
The students whispered to their teacher a joke.
(Students whispered to their teacher a joke.)
They spoke to me regularly.
(They spoke to me often.)
⇒ Show the objective to do something or purpose
she came to buy food
(She came to buy food.)
Paul was too tired to study.
(Paul was too tired to study.)
We sleep to rest.
(We sleep to rest.)
Read too: The use of from... to and from ….through
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ATTENTION: It is necessary to clarify that the word I'mbefore the verb in its base form indicates that the verb is in the infinitive, that is, in these cases, the I'm is not understood as a preposition. See examples: Examples to dance: dance to speak: speak to think: think |
When to use the for?
Now it remains for us to explain when we should use the preposition for. For this, we chose some uses and meanings that are widely used. Note the following examples:
⇒ Indicate the use of something
This book is for English learners.
(This book is for English learners.)
Those tables are for the new restaurant.
(Those tables are for the new restaurant.)
This medicine is for nausea.
(This medicine is for nausea.)
⇒ Show the purpose or cause of something
A gift for his birthday.
(A present for his birthday.)
For this reason, we’re leaving home.
(For this reason, we are leaving the house.)
We’re happy for you.
(We are happy for you.)
⇒ Indicate the duration of something
She is studying for at least one hour.
(She has been studying for at least an hour.)
Mix the eggs for 10 minutes.
(Mix eggs for 10 minutes.)
⇒ Indicate the value of something
They sold the CD for twenty-five dollars.
(They sold the CD for twenty-five dollars.)
Daniel bought a car for ten thousand dollars.
(Daniel bought a car for ten thousand dollars.)
Read too: tell or say: when do we use each verb?
solved exercises
question 1
Complete the sentences with the appropriate preposition:
1. They went ____ the bank ____ take some cash.
2. Please wait ____ me.
3. We’re really sorry ____ you.
4. Don’t send it back ____ his boss.
5. The answer ____ your question is not easy.
Resolution:
1. I'm and I'm, the first because it indicates movement and the second because it indicates objective.
2. for, because it indicates the cause.
3. for, because it indicates the cause.
4. I'm, because it indicates movement.
5. I'm, because it indicates purpose.
Grades
|1| Definition adapted from the Longman dictionary, online version. Available in: https://www.ldoceonline.com/dictionary/preposition.
By Patricia Veronica Moreira
English teacher
