Phrasal verbs with for are common in everyday English. The meaning of for in phrasal verbs usually connects to purpose, support, exchange, or direction. It often shows that an action is done in favor of someone or in search of something.
Recommendations to remember
- Think of for as expressing “on behalf of” or “towards a goal.”
- Group them into a list of phrasal verbs with for (e.g., ask for, care for, apply for, pay for, wait for).
- Make small sentences to practice: She cares for her grandmother. He asked for help.
Interesting examples
- I’m looking for my keys. (search)
- They stood up for their rights. (support)
- She applied for a new job. (purpose)
Learning tip: If you want to learn English phrasal verbs with for, focus on the mental image of “moving toward someone/something” or “doing something on their behalf.”
Full list of phrasal verbs with for
apply for
to formally request something (usually in writing)
ask for
to request something
care for
to look after someone or something
fall for
to be tricked or deceived
go for
to try to get something
hope for
to desire or expect something
look for
to search for something or someone
pay for
to give money in exchange for something
stand for
to represent or symbolize something
wait for
to stay in one place until something happens or someone arrives