In this word confusion, as vs for, both are causal conjunctions and prepositions.
As, usually followed by a noun or a gerund, is commonly used to indicate a role, a similar comparison, capacity, simultaneity, or causation.
For, usually followed by a verb, is used with a period of time in the past, present or future — three years, four hours, ages, a long time, months, years, etc.
For is also a substitute for because (a bit more formal and less common in everyday speech) and is reserved for poetic usage, as in “Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die”.
For may also be used to introduce someone who is receiving something, to an exchange, in multi-verb forms, to talk about the function of something or how it’s used, and using for + -ing to talk about function, explanation, or the reason for something. We also use for + infinitive to express purpose or intention.
Exploring Later . . .
You may also want to explore “Nope, It’s Not As You Like It“, “As versus Because“, “As versus Since“, “As versus That“, and/or “As versus Whether“.
You may also be curious about other for-s and fore-s such as “For vs Fore vs Four“, “For versus Fro“, “For- versus Fore-“, “Forego versus Forgo“, “Foreword versus Forward“, and even “Fascinated By, For, or With“.
Word Confusions . . .
. . . started as my way of dealing with a professional frustration with properly spelled words that were out of context in manuscripts I was editing as well as books I was reviewing. It evolved into a sharing of information with y’all. I’m hoping you’ll share with us words that have been a bête noire for you from either end.
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| As | For |
|---|---|
COD Community College Initiative Program Participants Cook, Learn Together by COD Newsroom is under the CC BY 2.0 license, via Flickr. — They’re training as cooks. |
,_page_1.jpg "This is an unexpected depiction of Santa.")
The Children’s Friend, 1821, is in the public domain courtesy of the Beinecke Digital Collections, Yale, via Wikimedia Commons. — Santa has been delivering toys for centuries. |
| Part of Grammar: | |
| Conjunction, causal; Preposition | Conjunction, causal; Preposition |
| Check the Punctuation page for information on comma usage for: | |
| as | for |
| Definitions for Causal Conjunctions: | |
| Conjunction, causal: Indicates that something happens during the time when something is taking place
Indicates by comparison the way that something happens or is done
[Literary] For
|
Conjunction, causal: [Literary] Because Since For the reason that On this ground |
| Examples: | |
| Conjunction, causal: He opted not to go see the movie, as it had gotten poor reviews. I must stop now as I have to go out. You can go first as you’re the oldest. |
Conjunction, causal: He stayed home, for he was ill. Greg felt guilty, for he knew that he bore a share of responsibility for Fanny’s death. The bill should be listed as paid, for I mailed it in on time. She remained silent, for her heart was heavy and her spirits low. |
| Definitions for Prepositions: | |
| Preposition: Used to refer to the function or character that someone or something has During the time of being (the thing specified) |
Preposition: In support of or in favor of a person or policy Affecting, with regard to, or in respect of someone or something On behalf of or to the benefit of someone or something
Having (the thing mentioned) as a purpose or function Having (the thing mentioned) as a reason or cause Having (the place mentioned) as a destination Representing (the thing mentioned) In place of or in exchange for (something)
In relation to the expected norm of (something) Indicating:
|
| Examples: | |
| Rule: For is sometimes used in place of because — be sure to use that comma before for. | |
| The new committee members were quiet in their first meeting, for they preferred to listen and learn before contributing.
The new committee members were quiet in their first meeting because they preferred to listen and learn before contributing. You can use because if you’re uncomfortable with for. Do not use a comma since what follows because is essential to the sentence. Source: Simon |
|
| Rule: When for is used as a preposition, a comma is not required. | |
| Preposition: You can have this house as your home. You can make this your home. The crews cleared the deck as an action. It’s just for practice. It came as a shock. He got a job as a cook. They were treated as foreigners. As a dairy producer, you should evaluate and analyze your farm from many viewpoints. He had often been sick as a child. As a student, my nickname was Space. |
Preposition: You can have this house for your home. You can use this house for a home. The crews cleared the deck for action. Battle is about to begin. They voted for independence in a referendum. She is responsible for the efficient running of their department. They made the expected demand for money. These parents aren’t speaking for everyone. It was a good firm to work for. She is searching for enlightenment. These are the necessary tools for making a picture frame. Aileen is proud of her family for their support. I could dance and sing for joy. They are leaving for Swampscott tomorrow. The “F” is for fascinating. Swap these two bottles for that one. Ten copies are available for only a buck. She was tall for her age. It’s warm weather for this time of year. He was in prison for 12 years. I haven’t seen him for some time. He crawled for 300 yards. The camcorder failed for the third time. |
| History of the Word: | |
| Middle English as a reduced form of the Old English alswā meaning similarly. | Old English for, probably a reduction of a Germanic preposition meaning before (in place or time); related to the German für, also to fore. |
C’mon, get it out of your system, bitch, whine, moan . . . which words are your pet peeves? Also, please note that I try to be as accurate as I can, but mistakes happen or I miss something. Email me if you find errors, so I can fix them . . . and we’ll all benefit!
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Resources for As versus For
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Cambridge Dictionary: for
Khurana, Anjali. “English Grammar: What part of speech is ‘as’?” Quora. 2012. Accessed n.d. <http://www.quora.com/Grammar/What-part-of-speech-is-as>.
“Like and As.” English for Students. n.d. Web. 28 May 2012. <http://www.english-for-students.com/Like-and-As.html>.
Merriam-Webster: for
Simon, Michael. “Pointing Out Reasons with As, Since, For, and Because.” MLA Style Center. 5 July 2023. Accessed 31 May 2024. <https://style.mla.org/as-since-for-because/>.
Straus, Jane. “Tackling More Tricky Word Choices: As, Because, and Since.” Grammar Book.com. n.d. Web. 6 May 2021. <https://www.grammarbook.com/blog/effective-writing/tackling-more-tricky-word-choices-as-because-and-since/>.
Pinterest Photo Credits:
Natural Disaster, 25 April 2015, is Bijay Chaurasia‘s own work and is under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license, via Wikimedia Commons.
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