Hi and welcome to the Espresso English Podcast, where you can improve your English in just a few minutes a day.
My name is Shaina and I'm the teacher at Espresso English.
Make sure to visit the website EspressoEnglishnet, where you can get online courses and e-books that will help you learn English even faster.
Let's get started with today's lesson.
Do we say I'm studying for improve my English or I'm studying to improve my English?
Hmm, tricky, right?
Even advanced students sometimes mix up to and for.
Let me give you a quick explanation of the difference, and then we'll test your knowledge with a quiz.
You'll definitely want to download this lesson PDF for review and reference, because I've also included lists of verbs after which we commonly use to and for.
When you know these, you can use the correct word much more easily and naturally.
Click on the link in the video description and enter your email address to receive that free PDF.
All right, let's do a quick review of when to use to and for.
Use to when there's movement.
We're going to New York.
I gave the keys to John.
Or when you do something for someone's benefit or on their behalf, meaning in their place.
I made dinner for you.
Can you carry these books for me?
We use to to talk about purpose or reason why with a verb after it.
I'm studying to improve my English.
We moved here, why?
To be near my family.
And we use for to talk about purpose or reason why with a noun after it.
I'm studying for an English test.
We moved here for my husband's job.
Now let's see if you can complete these 20 sentences correctly with to or for.
Number one, she moved to London to or for live with her boyfriend?
The correct answer is to.
She moved to London to live with her boyfriend.
Number two.
I don't have the files.
Can you send them to or for me?
The correct answer is to.
I don't have the files.
Can you send them to me?
Number three.
I came to New York to or for college.
The correct answer is for.
I came to New York for college.
Number four.
We saved seats to or for you.
The correct answer is for.
We saved seats for you.
Number five.
I got some snacks to or for everyone.
The correct answer is for.
I got some snacks for everyone.
Number six.
They hired a consultant to or for analyze their strategy.
The correct answer is to.
They hired a consultant to analyze their strategy.
Number seven.
We threw a party to or for the new graduates.
The correct answer is four.
We threw a party for the new graduates.
Number eight.
She started doing yoga to or for better health.
The correct answer is four.
She started doing yoga for better health.
Number nine.
He opened the door to or for me.
The correct answer is for.
He opened the door for me.
Number 10.
I lift weights to or for get stronger.
The correct answer is to.
I lift weights to get stronger.
Number 11.
She passed the salt to or for her brother.
The correct answer is 2.
She passed the salt to her brother.
Number 12.
I signed up to or for volunteer at the animal shelter.
The correct answer is 2.
I signed up to volunteer at the animal shelter.
Number 13.
I came to New York to or for find a better job.
The correct answer is two.
I came to New York to find a better job.
Number 14.
He mailed a gift to or for his grandmother, to or for her birthday.
The correct answers are two and then four.
He mailed a gift to his grandmother for her birthday.
Number 15.
Should I assign this task to or for Sarah or John?
The correct answer is 2.
Should I assign this task to Sarah or John?
Number 16.
These vitamins are to or for women over 50.
The correct answer is 4.
These vitamins are for women over 50.
Number 17.
The CEO doesn't answer emails.
His assistant does it to or for him.
The correct answer is for.
The CEO doesn't answer emails.
His assistant does it for him.
Number 18.
She moved to Paris to or for a fashion course.
The correct answer is for.
She moved to Paris for a fashion course.
Number 19.
I lent my jacket to or for a friend.
The correct answer is to.
I lent my jacket to a friend.
Number 20.
He told a funny story to or for the group.
The correct answer is to.
He told a funny story to the group.
Great job working through those sentences.
What was your score on the quiz?
I hope the difference between 2 and 4 is a little clearer now.
Make sure to download the free lesson PDF to review today's quiz and all the example sentences by clicking on the link in the video description and entering your email address.
And if you want to keep learning and improving, grab my e-book 600 Plus Confusing English Words Explained.
It's full of easy-to-understand explanations and examples of words that English learners often mix up, like say versus tell, fun versus funny, specially versus especially, and many, many more.
You'll find the link for that below as well.
Thanks for watching, and I'll see you in the next lesson.
If you want more great English lessons, visit EspressoEnglishnet, where you can sign up by email to receive a free e-book with 500 plus real English phrases.
You'll also find online courses to help you improve your English fast, even if you don't have much time to study.
Keep practicing your English, and I hope you have a wonderful day!