With vs For
What’s the difference between them?
With
Meaning:
with: in connection or association with; along with; together with; accompanied by.
Examples:
1. With determination, he achieved his goal.
2. With grace, she glided across the dance floor.
3. With a heavy heart, he said his goodbye.
For
Meaning:
For is a preposition that is used to indicate the purpose or reason for an action or event.
Examples:
1. For what reason did she leave so early?
2. I'm here for you if you ever need someone to talk to.
3. We can't be in two places at once, so we'll have to split up for the day.
Learn similar and opposite words to spot the difference
Synonyms
Antonyms
With
1. Along
2. Alongside
3. Abreast
4. Toward
5. In conjunction with
1. Against
2. Without
3. Away
4. Opposite
5. Abstain
For
1. In place of
2. Instead of
3. On behalf of
4. As for
5. In exchange for
1. Against
2. Away
3. Opposite
4. Refrain
5. Abstain
Tricks for mastery
Useful tips to understand the difference between confusing words "With", "For".
1. If the sentence is describing an action with an associated object or person, use 'with.'
2. If the sentence is providing a purpose or reason for an action, use 'for.'
3. To remember the difference between the two words, remember that 'with' suggests 'togetherness' and 'for' suggests 'a purpose.'
Practice English with the Promova app and avoid misusing confusing words
Frequently asked questions
When should 'with' be used?
With should be used to indicate a connection or relationship between two people, ideas, or things. It can also be used to identify a tool, method, or accompaniment. For example, 'I went to the store with my friend.'
When is the appropriate context for using 'for'?
For is used to indicate a purpose or reason for something. It can be used to explain why something was done or what it is intended to be used for. For example, 'He went to the store for milk.'
Do 'with' and 'for' share the same pronunciation?
No, they do not. With is pronounced with a short 'i' sound, while for is pronounced with a short 'o' sound.
What are some common mistakes people make when using these words?
One common mistake is using 'for' when 'with' should be used instead. Also, people often use 'with' to express purpose instead of 'for.'
Fill in the gaps to check yourself
1. She baked a cake _____ her mothers birthday.
2. I am going to the market _____ my brother.
3. This present is _____ you, and the other one is _____ Maria.
4. I have been working at this company _____ over five years.
5. Can you please replace the batteries _____ the new ones?
6. He has a penchant _____ writing poetry during the rainy season.
1. for
Explanation: The cake was made because of the occasion of her mothers birthday, indicating a purpose. Therefore, for is used to show the reason or purpose.
2. with
Explanation: The speaker is going to the market accompanied by their brother. Hence, with is used to indicate companionship.
3. for; for
Explanation: Both gaps in this sentence refer to the intended recipient of something (the present). In this context, for indicates for whom something is intended.
4. for
Explanation: When indicating a duration of time, for is used. The speaker has been at the company for a certain length of time.
5. with
Explanation: The sentence talks about replacing old batteries by using new ones. With is used to indicate substitution.
6. for
Explanation: Penchant for is a set phrase meaning a strong inclination or liking for something. Thus, for is the appropriate choice.
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List of Commonly Confused Words
Finding your way around the English language can be hard, especially since there are so many confusing words and rules. So, a list of the most confusing words in English is an extremely useful tool for improving language accuracy and sharing the ideas clearly.