For和to這兩個介詞,意義豐富,用法復雜.這里僅就它們主要用法進行比較.
一、表示各種“目的”,用“for”
eg.
1.What do you study English for?你為什么要學英語?
2.She went to france for holiday.她到法國度假去了.
3.These books are written for pupils.這些書是為學生些的.
4.hope for the best,prepare for the worst.作最好的打算,作最壞的準備.
2． 對于用“for”
eg.
1．She has a liking for painting.她愛好繪畫 .
2．She had a natural gift for teaching.她對教學有天賦/
3． 表示贊成同情,用“for”
eg.
1.Are you for the idea or against it?你是支持還是反對這個想法?
2.He expresses sympathy for the common people..他表現(xiàn)了對普通老百姓的同情.
3.I felt deeply sorry for my friend who was very ill.
4 表示因為,由于（常有較活譯法）,用“for”
eg.
1 Thank you for coming.
2.France is famous for its wines.法國因酒而出名.
5． 當事人對某事的主觀看法,對于（某人）,對…來說（多和形容詞連用）,
用介詞to,不用for.
eg.
He said that money was not important to him.
他說錢對他并不重要.
To her it was rather unusual.
對她來說這是相當不尋常的.
They are cruel to animals.他們對動物很殘忍.
6． 和fit,good,bad,useful,suitable 等形容詞連用,表示適宜,適合.用for.
eg.
Some training will make them fit for the job.
經(jīng)過一段訓練,他們會勝任這項工作的.
Exercises are good for health.
鍛煉有益于健康.
Smoking and drinking are bad for health.
抽煙喝酒對健康有害.
You are not suited for the kind of work you are doing.
7.表示不定式邏輯上的主語,可以用在主語、表語、狀語、定語中.
1． It would be best for you to write to him.
2． The simple thing is for him to resign at once.
3． There was nowhere else for me to go.
4． He opened a door and stood aside for her to pass.
8.表示前往（某地）去某地,用for不用to
I bought a ticket for Milan.
I start for Shanghai tomorrow.我明天去上海.
The ship is for Liverpool.這艘船是開往利物浦的.
9.表示到達的目的地、終點.用to不用for
The bus will take you to the post office.公共汽車會把你送到郵局去的.
He saw her to the railway station.他把她送到火車站.
10． 作為（意思接近as）for可以與to互換.
I’ll keep it for a souvenir.我將把它留作紀念.
He spoke English so well that I took him for a foreigner.
他英語說的那么好,我還以為他是外國人.
He took her to (or for) wife.他娶她為妻.
11．表示交換
1） I bought a bicycle for seven hundred yuan.
我以七百元買了一輛自行車.
2） He is willing to work for nothing.
他愿意義務地工作.
12．表示就…來說,用for
He was tall for his age.以他的年齡來說他的個子是很高的.
For so young a man he had read widely.作為這樣年輕的人,他書讀的是夠多了.
13．表示相應、對應,一般for 的前后用同一個名詞.
Don’t translate word for word.不要逐詞翻譯.
Blood for blood !血債血償.
Eye for eye,tooth for tooth.以眼還眼,以牙還牙.
To 的此種用法表示貼著,對著.
The two lovers dance cheek to cheek.
這對情侶跳貼面舞.
They stood face to face ( back to back )
他們面對面（背對背）地站著.
14 to 和動詞連用,表示“對”,“向”“給”等
Did you mention this to him?你向他提到這事了嗎?
Give my love to your parents.代我向你父母問好.
I have to apologize to you.我得向你道歉.