to+V
看到to就要聯想到一個跑來跑去的<小亮點>,類似電腦螢幕上的<游標>。它的功能是<具動詞性>的<介詞>。
要用此介詞,必須有<供移動>的<兩個目的地>,即用某個動作從甲地移動到乙地。
I went to the store. 從原地走到某店
Give this to her.把某物從原地移到她的所在地
for+N
This is for her. 指的是<狀況>,並不涉及動作,不指定動作。
for是對準目標物,但沒有任何動作,猶如瞄準方向的砲台,雖然蓄勢待發,但不見動作。
to在意的是動作,用甚麼動作甚麼事,是有指定的。
for的目的是物或人,不必一定要透過特定動作來達成目的。
I went to the store to buy milk. (為了做某事而去)
I went to the store for milk. (不一定是買的,有可能商店正在贈送牛奶,或者試喝牛奶)
What did you do to him? (你對他做了甚麼,可能是毒打他一頓)
What did you do for him? (你為他做了甚麼,也可以是毒打他一頓,但也可以掰說是為了他好)
Ask John for the file.(不指定動作,可以用寄的,也可以等John拿過來)
Ask John to send me the file. (指定動作用寄送的)
Invite someone for dinner(把dinner一事辦完即可,沒有特定的方法或場所)
invite someone to a party (party通常已有固定的目的地,而dinner沒有)
TO is used with verbs as you all know (e.g. the verb "to be").
It is also used in cases where a "transfer" happens.
E.g.
I will give this book to you. (from me to you)
I will go to work. (from home to work)
I will talk to her. (information goes from me to her)
FOR is used in the following situations:
for the benefit of
e.g. I will do that for you.
purpose
e.g. This brush is for painting.
Those aren't rules written in stone, they are just general guidelines to help ESL students (especially Portuguese speakers) better grasp this concept.
Here is an example with both:
Give this book to him but it is for his father.
Another:
I will speak to her for you.