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YET: ESL WHEN TO USE
Photo by Chronis Yan on Unsplash

WHICH WORD?to or for

  • "to" is direct  

  • "for" is indirect"
    ​
  • "to" and "for" are used with pronouns (him, her, them, you, us) or names  (Maira, John, Bill)

UPDATED:  AUGUST 2020
NOTE:    "to" and "for" are used in many ways, but we only look at one element here.

Direct

EXAMPLES: 
(both structures are correct)
​
verb + noun + to + pronoun
​
  1. He gave the book to me.

  2. I sent an email to him yesterday. 

  3. The money was given to me by my Father.

ELIMINATING "TO"

verb + pronoun + noun
​
  1. He gave me the book.

  2. I sent him an email yesterday.

  3. My Father gave me the money.
Indirect

EXAMPLES:
  1. Bill gave the book to Mary for me because I was in the hospital.​

  2. I sent an email to him for you because you were so busy.
    ​
  3. Would you please give this package to John for me?  I have to catch a plane and I don't have time to give it to him.

DIRECT and INDIRECT

I owed Mary money.
I gave the money to Bob who gave it to Mary for me.

VIDEO
for or since

WHICH WORD?
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  • HOME
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    • CONVERSATION: Advanced
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      • BUSINESS ENGLISH
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    • DIALOGUES: Business >
      • 01-International Sales Report
      • 02-Meeting With The Boss
      • 03-The Marketing Meeting
    • DIALOGUES: Travel >
      • Going to Miami
      • Going to Rio
      • Going to Rio - Travel Department
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      • WH QUESTIONS >
        • How
        • How long
        • What, Where, When, Why
        • Which
        • Who and Whom
        • Whose
      • CLAUSES
      • COMPARISON >
        • adj + er than
        • as (adj) as
        • the same as
        • more + adj + than
        • the .... est ( most and worst)
      • CONDITIONAL TENSE >
        • If I were you ...
        • Could
        • Might / May
        • Should
        • Would
      • CONNECTORS >
        • even if + pronoun
      • COUNT NON-COUNT NOUNS
    • PRONUNCIATION
    • VERBS >
      • PHRASAL VERBS
    • WHICH WORD?
    • IDIOMS
  • STUDY ABROAD