Yes, “for” is primarily a preposition. It is used to indicate purpose, destination, duration, support, or benefit. Here are some examples of how “for” functions as a preposition:
- Purpose:
- “This tool is for cutting vegetables.”
(Indicates the intended use of the tool.)
- “This tool is for cutting vegetables.”
- Destination:
- “She left for the market.”
(Indicates movement toward a place.)
- “She left for the market.”
- Duration:
- “We waited for an hour.”
(Indicates a period of time.)
- “We waited for an hour.”
- Support/Benefit:
- “This gift is for you.”
(Indicates the recipient of an action.)
- “This gift is for you.”
- Cause/Reason:
- “He was praised for his hard work.”
(Indicates the reason for praise.)
- “He was praised for his hard work.”
Though “for” is most commonly a preposition, it can sometimes function as a conjunction in archaic or poetic usage, meaning “because” (e.g., “I stayed, for it was raining”). However, this usage is rare in modern English.
