For vs On
What’s the difference between them?
For
Meaning:
For is a preposition that shows the relationship between two elements in a sentence, often indicating direction, purpose, or cause.
Examples:
1. She has been searching for the right job for weeks.
2. For what reason did you decide to quit?
3. He has worked for the company for five years.
On
Meaning:
On is an English preposition indicating position or direction.
Examples:
1. He is going to start working on the project tomorrow.
2. She turned on the radio and started to sing along.
3. I'm going to be on vacation for the next two weeks.
Learn similar and opposite words to spot the difference
Synonyms
Antonyms
For
1. In support of
2. In favor of
3. On behalf of
4. To benefit
5. In order to
1. Against
2. Contrary
3. Refusal
4. Opposition
5. Denial
On
1. At
2. Upon
3. Over
4. Abreast
5. In the vicinity of
1. Off
2. Away
3. Absent
4. Depart
5. Unsubscribe
Tricks for mastery
Useful tips to understand the difference between confusing words "For", "On".
1. 'For' is usually used to express the purpose of an action or a transfer of ownership.
2. For is used to express a duration or period of time.
3. Mnemonic: For is typically used to show something is being given, so remember the phrase 'give FOR something'.
4. 'On' is usually used to indicate the day or date of an event.
5. On is used to express contact with a surface.
6. Mnemonic: On is usually used to show something is being placed, so remember the phrase 'place ON something'.
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Frequently asked questions
When should 'For' be used?
For should be used when expressing something that is directed toward another person or object. It can be used to indicate the recipient of something or the purpose for which something is used. For example, 'I bought a present for my friend.'
When is the appropriate context for using 'On'?
On should be used to describe the physical location of something or when referring to dates or time periods. For example, 'I put the book on the table.' or 'The event will take place on Saturday.'
Do 'For' and 'On' share the same pronunciation?
No, the two words are pronounced differently. For is pronounced /fɔːr/ and On is pronounced /ɒn/.
What are some common mistakes people make when using these words?
A common mistake people make when using these words is confusing them with the word 'Off'. People often use 'Off' when they mean to say 'On'. Additionally, people may use 'For' when they should use 'On' when referring to time or dates, such as saying 'I have an appointment for Tuesday' instead of 'I have an appointment on Tuesday'.
Fill in the gaps to check yourself
1. I have been waiting here _____ over an hour.
2. The book is _____ the top shelf.
3. We had sandwiches _____ lunch today.
4. Ive known her _____ many years.
5. The conference is scheduled _____ next Monday.
6. Hes been sick _____ a few days now.
1. Answer: for
Explanation: When indicating a duration of time, for is the appropriate preposition to use. Thus, for over an hour is correct.
2. Answer: on
Explanation: On is used to express a state of placement or position. On the top shelf indicates the location of the book.
3. Answer: for
Explanation: When referring to a purpose or reason, for is the suitable choice. In this context, for lunch indicates the purpose of having sandwiches.
4. Answer: for
Explanation: Again, for is used to indicate a duration of time. For many years describes the length of time the speaker has known her.
5. Answer: on
Explanation: When specifying dates or days, on is the correct preposition. Thus, on next Monday is accurate.
6. Answer: for
Explanation: Here, for is used to indicate the duration of time hes been sick, which is a few days.
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Download the PDF with a list of commonly confused words made as flashcards for comfortable learning.
List of Commonly Confused Words
Finding your way around the English language can be hard, especially since there are so many confusing words and rules. So, a list of the most confusing words in English is an extremely useful tool for improving language accuracy and sharing the ideas clearly.