To and for

Answer 1

To and for are both common prepositions in English. Their usages are complicated and easy to confuse. The following are the main differences in their usages:

** 1. Usage of 'to'**

1. ** indicates direction **
- We're going to the zoo this weekend. We're going to the zoo this weekend.
- When crossing the road, Look to the left and right. (Look around.)
2. ** means accept **
- Show that someone or something receives an action or object, for example: Furlong passed the ball to Sexton at the last second. (Furlong passes to Sexton at the last second.)
- We didn't invite Karen because she was always mean to us. (We didn't invite Karen because she's always mean to us.) The 'to' here indicates the target, which has something to do with receiving, which means that the receiver of this harsh attitude is us)
3. ** indicates connection **
- An abstract connection between two people, for example, I am married to my best friend. I married my best friend.
- This is Dwight, assistant to the regional manager. (This is Dwight, the assistant to the regional manager.)
4. ** means affiliated **
- The piece of paper was accidentally glued to my hand. (The paper accidentally stuck to my hand.)
- I chained my bike to a bench, but the bench was stolen. I locked my bike on a bench, but the bench was stolen.
5. ** indicates comparison **
- Introduction of the second part of the comparison, for example: High school is easy to compare to college. (Compared to university, high school is easy.)
- They preferred water to soda. (They prefer water to soda.)
6. ** Inferring (with a verb)**
- He shouldn't have joined the army to impress people. (He shouldn't have joined the army just to make an impression.)
- I study so much to get good grades. I study hard in order to get good grades.
7. ** Symbol of infinitive **
- put in front of the original form of a verb in the infinitive, as in: I want to be an astronaut I want to be an astronaut
- To succeed in anything requires motivation. You need motivation to succeed in anything.
8. ** indicates time (especially in British English)**
- Before a certain time, for example: It's a quarter to four. (3:45)
- Ten minutes to closing! (There are still ten minutes before closing time.)
9. ** as a synonym for "until"(spoken)**
- For example: We're open from dawn to dusk. We stayed from dawn to dusk.
- I’m with you to the end of the line, Bucky. (Baki, I will accompany you until the end.)

** 2. Usage of 'for'**

1. ** Showing support **
- express one's agreement, loyalty, or fondness for something, as in: I always root for the underdog at games. I always side with the underdog in the game.
- If you’re not for the union, you’re against it! (If you don't support the union, then you're against it!)
2. ** represents **
- I speak for everyone when I say that we're happy you're here. (I speak for everyone when I say we're glad you're here.)
- I may work for Walmart, but I don’t shop there. I may work for Wal-Mart, but I don't shop there.
3. ** means exchange **
- The second part of a purchase, trade, or trade, for example: I'll give you my potato chips for your mini-Muffin. (I'll trade my chips for your little waffle.)
- He bought the entire Skrillex discography for only a dollar. (He bought the entire Skrilflex album for only one dollar.)
4. ** represents length (time or distance)**
- She worked there for three years. She worked there for three years. (This indicates the length of time)

Generally speaking,'to' paid more attention to direction and could be followed by the infinitive (the original form of the verb);'for' paid more attention to purpose and could be followed by the verb 'ing'.

"Choose" was equally exciting. Everyone was welcome to read it!