What are the rules in using 'to' and 'for' in a phrase?

Answer 1

Okay, well there are three different ways to spell and use the word 'to'. It can be spelt to, too and two. Two is a number - you use that when referring to two objects.

I.e. The woman glanced between the two pairs of shoes, unable to make up her mind and choose which she wanted to buy.

Too is used as a longer sound and when you are adding on a statement. If you get stuck when trying to figure out whether to use 'too' or 'to', say it out loud and catch whether it has a longer 'o' sound or not.

But, it is used in places where you say 'Me too', or 'I want to come to the park, too.' You use it to add on to what someone else has said.

I.e. "Would you like some ice cream, honey?" The Mother asked her son.

He looked up at her and smiled, thinking over the statement. "Yes, thank you, Mum... Can I have a drink, too, please?"

To is used when you announce you are going somewhere: "I'm going to go and pick up some bread from the shop."

It is a shorter sound and you use it, probably, the most often. "I'm going to do this..."; "I think we should go to the beach tomorrow..."; 'He was going to the pub...'

So, try to remember that 'two' is a number, 'too' is an add on and a longer 'o' sound and 'to' is normally used when talking about going somewhere and is a shorter 'o' sound. Don't get them mixed up or you will end up with an incoherent sentence.

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Now, the word 'for'. Again, differentiating between 'for' and the number 'four' - I'm not too sure, actually, what you mean. There aren't any rules concerning 'for' - well, none that I can think of.

For is used, normally, when something happens for someone or something else.

I.e. Michael stopped by work to pick up the folders for Sally.

Jane couldn't wait to give John the present she had bought him for his birthday.

'For' is when things happen for someone else or when an action takes place for someone.

*Note: All these words are not used with capitals in a sentence unless they are at the beginning. Otherwise, they are not capitalized and are relatively easy to use in a phrase or sentence.

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If you meant, by your question, you wanted to use them both in a sentene together - here is an example. (I am unsure, so I am posting this just in case).

I.e. Matt drove quickly into town to pick up some sausages for the barbeque he was hosting in a few hours. He ran hurriedly into the food shop and made his was to the meat aisle. He picked up some steaks - before remembering that Brett had asked him to get two rolls of salami, too. The man liked Salami on his burger.

There is an example of them all. They are used differently - but once you become familiar with them, it is easy. These are the only rules I can think of, concerning these words.

Answer 2

Use 'to' when indicating direction or movement toward something/someone, and use 'for' when indicating purpose or intended recipient. For example, "I am going to the store" (direction) and "I bought a gift for my friend" (purpose). Be mindful that there are exceptions and idiomatic expressions that may not follow these rules.