for

We use for + a period of time to say how long something goes on:

- for six years (I've lived in this house for six years.)

- for two hours (We watched television for two hours last night.) - for a week (Ann is going away for a week in September.) - Are you going away for the week-end? (You cannot use 'during' in this way).

We say 'to go/to come for a walk/ for a swim/ for a drink etc.':

- She always goes for a walk with her dog in the morning.

- After work we went to a cafe for a drink.

We say 'to have something for breakfast/for lunch/for dinner':

- What did you have for lunch?

We say 'to feel/to be sorry for someone':

- I feel sorry for George.

We say 'to be famous/responsible for something':

- The Italian city of Florence is famous for its art treasures.

- Who was responsible for all that noise last night?

We say 'a cheque for (a sum of money)':

- They sent me a cheque for USD 50.

We say 'a demand/a need for something:

- My firm closed down because there wasn't enough demand for its product.

We say 'a reason for something':

- The train was late but no-one knew the reason for the delay.

We say 'to be sorry for doing something':

- I'm sorry for shouting at you yesterday. (but it is more usual to say: I'm sorry I shouted at you yesterday.)

We say 'to apologize to someone for something':

- When I realized I was wrong, I apologized to him for my mistake.

We say 'to apply for a job/a place at university etc.':

- I think this job would suit you. Why don't you apply for it?

We say 'to care for someone/something':

i) = like something (usually in questions and negative sentences):

- Would you care for a cup of coffee? (= Would you like ...?)

- I don't care for hot weather. (= I don't like ...)

ii) = look after someone:

- She is very old. She needs someone to care for her.

We say 'to look for someone/something (= try to find)':

- I've lost my keys. Can you help me look for them?

We say 'to pay (someone) for something':

- I didn't have enough money to pay for the meal.

But: pay a bill/a fine/$50/a fare/taxes etc. (no preposition).

We say 'to search a person/a place/a bag etc. for someone/something':

- I've searched the whole house for my keys but I still can't find them.

We say 'to wait for someone/something':

- I'm not going out yet. I'm waiting for the rain to stop.

We say 'to ask (someone) for something':

- I wrote to the company asking them for more information about the job.

But: 'ask (someone) a question' (no preposition).

We say 'to blame someone/something for something:

- Everybody blamed me for the accident.

We also say: 'someone is to blame for something':

- Everybody said that I was is blame for the accident.

We say 'to leave (a place) for (another place)':

- I haven't seen her since she left home for work this morning.