B1–B2

For — Purpose, Recipients, and Collocations — English Grammar Exercises

by, with, for, about, of, as, like — use each one precisely

For — Purpose, Recipients, and Collocations

'For' is one of the most productive prepositions in English, covering purpose, intended beneficiary, reason, and a dense cluster of adjective and verb collocations. Collocation data from COCA (Corpus of Contemporary American English) shows that 'for' is the preposition required in over 60 of the 200 most common adjective + preposition and verb + preposition patterns. Despite this frequency, learners at B1–B2 consistently substitute 'about' for purpose/reason uses and 'of' or 'with' in collocations like 'responsible for' and 'famous for'.

For + -ing — Purpose of an Object

This knife is used for cutting bread.
This is a tool for measuring temperature.

For — Recipient

This present is for my mother.
I booked a table for two.

For — Reason Behind an Action

She apologised for being late.
He thanked me for helping him move.

Key Collocations

Paris is famous for its architecture.
Who is responsible for this project?
Are you ready for the exam?

Common Mistakes

✗ She is responsible about the project. → ✓ She is responsible for the project.
✗ She is famous about her cooking. → ✓ She is famous for her cooking.
✗ He thanked me about helping him. → ✓ He thanked me for helping him.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between 'by' and 'with' in English?

'By' describes a method or means — how something is done at an abstract level: 'by bus', 'by email', 'by hand', 'by mistake'. 'With' describes a tool or instrument you physically hold and use: 'with a pen', 'with scissors', 'with a spoon'. The test: if you can hold the object in your hand, use 'with'. If it's an abstract method or means of transport/communication, use 'by'. 'With' also expresses accompaniment ('with my friends') and manner ('with care').

When do you use 'as' and when do you use 'like'?

'As' introduces an actual role or function — the person or thing genuinely is what follows: 'She works as a nurse' (she IS a nurse), 'He used the chair as a table' (the chair functioned as a table). 'Like' introduces a comparison — the person or thing resembles but is not identical to what follows: 'He runs like a professional athlete' (similar, but he's not one). A common error: 'She works like a nurse' implies she is not actually a nurse. Use 'as' for real roles; 'like' for similarities.

Which preposition follows 'responsible', 'famous', and 'interested'?

These are fixed collocations: 'responsible for' (never 'about' or 'of'), 'famous for' (never 'about'), 'interested in' (never 'by' — though the Russian instrumental case suggests 'by'). Other key collocations: 'afraid of', 'proud of', 'tired of', 'good at', 'depends on', 'consists of', 'apologise for', 'thank someone for'. Learning these as complete chunks — adjective + preposition — is more reliable than trying to derive them from rules.

What is the difference between 'made of' and 'made from'?

'Made of' is used when the original material is still visible or identifiable in the final product: 'a table made of wood' (you can see the wood), 'a ring made of gold' (the gold is apparent). 'Made from' is used when the material has been completely transformed and is no longer recognisable: 'wine made from grapes' (no grapes visible), 'paper made from wood pulp'. In practice, 'made of' is the safer default for solid, visible materials.