Usage of TO and FOR

The prepositions to and for are very easy to confuse! Here are some rules:

Use TO IN THESE CASES:

1. Destination
   “We’re going to London.”
2. What time it is
   “It’s a quarter to 4.”
3. Distance
   “It’s about two miles from my house to the shopping center.”
4. Comparing
   “I prefer sleeping to working.”
5. Giving
   “I gave the book to my brother.”
6. Motive/Reason – with a verb
   “I came here to see you.”

USE FOR IN THESE CASES:

1. Benefits
   “Yogurt is good for health.”
2. Period of time
   “We’ve lived here for 2 years.”
3. Schedule
   “I made an appointment for May 3.”
4. Agree with 
   “Are you for or against the development of nuclear weapons?”
5. Doing something to help someone
   “Could you carry these books for me?”
6. Motive/Reason – with a noun
   “Let’s go out for a drink.”
7. Function – with a verb (-ing form)“A ladle is a big spoon used for serving soup.”

TO or FOR can be used for a motive/reason, but TO is always with a verb, and FOR is always with a noun. Here’s a good example:

• I came to New York to work.
• I came to New York for a new job.