for + person

Saying Who Benefits

Level 3

For can identify who benefits from an action or who something is intended for: I keep one seat for you. It differs from the recipient in give this to you.

How It Works

For can name a beneficiary or the intended user of something. I keep one seat for you says the seat is being kept for your benefit. The person after for is not necessarily the recipient of a physical transfer.

Compare I keep this for you with I pass this to you. The first concerns intended use or benefit; the second identifies a recipient. Both shared English prepositions remain useful in Singlish. Do not link every local for directly to purpose or every to directly to benefit; read the action and the noun phrase as a whole.

Examples (4)

  1. I keep one seat for you.

    I am keeping a seat for you.

  2. She bought lunch for her brother.

    She bought lunch for her brother.

  3. This cup for Mei.

    This cup is intended for Mei.

  4. Can hold the bag for me?

    Can you hold the bag for my benefit?

How It Connects

Tap a pattern to see what it builds on and what it leads to.

for + personLevel 3Saying Who Benefits

Learn This First

Identify the participants related to an action before distinguishing a beneficiary from a recipient.