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for: purpose and cause

People’s purposes: I went for an interview​

For can be used to talk about somebody’s purpose in doing something, but only when it is followed by a noun.

  • We stopped at the pub for a drink.
  • I went to the college for an interview with Professor Taylor.

For is not used before a verb in this sense. The infinitive alone is used to express a person’s purpose (see here).

  • We stopped at the pub to have a drink. (not … for having a drink) or for to have a drink
  • I went to the college to see Professor Taylor. (not … for seeing Professor Taylor.)

The purposes of things: -ing forms and infinitives​

For can be used before the -ing form of a verb to express the ‘purpose’ of a thing – what it is used for – especially when the thing is the subject.

  • Is that cake for eating or just for looking at?
  • An altimeter is used for measuring height above sea level.

When the clause has a person as subject, an infinitive is often used to express the purpose of a thing.

  • We use altimeters to measure height above sea level.

Causes of reactions​

For …ing can also be used after a description of a positive or negative reaction, to explain the behaviour that caused it.

  • We are grateful to you for helping us out.
  • I’m angry with you for waking me up.
  • They punished the child for lying.
  • He was sent to prison for stealing.