and meanings of prepositions for and to. The last, this research is dissimilar to Roslim’s research, for her research focuses on the definitions and main difficulties
of prepositions faced by Malaysian students.
B. Review of Related Theories 1. Preposition
In English, preposition is an important class of function words. According to Yu, prepositions belong to functional parts of speech and are rather active 2014:
1. She also adds that in English, some prepositions are among the most common words. She says that “Linguists argue that English language is a prepositional one,
which indicates that the preposition is one of the most useful and active parts of speech in English” cited from Li, 2007: 11. Moreover, according to Roslim 2014:
1, as cited form Kaplan 1989 and Hughes 1992, preposition is also defined as a word or group of words and often has meanings which have something to do with
location or direction and movement and also time or method. She also mentions that the majority of prepositions express relationship between things and events and
their basic sense is spatial Borjars and Burridge, 2001. Furthermore, Delija and Koruti, in their research, further explain that prepositions are very confusing and
sometimes hardly understandable even for native speakers, and when it comes to students who learn English as second language, the problem is much bigger, for
they have to understand all the nuances of the English prepositions, to memorize them and to properly use them 2013: 125.
a. Preposition for
The preposition for is one of the English prepositions which is difficult to learn since it often causes some errors in a sentence. Indonesian students who learn
English as the second language find some difficulties whether to use for or to as the appropriate one in a sentence. Compared to the preposition to, for is more confusing
because the meaning of for seems abstract, manifold, and elusive Lindstromberg, 2010: 224. He then classifies the sensesusages of preposition for as follows.
i. Representation: She is a delegate for the State of Illinois; [Take this] for
example. ii.
Substitution: X can substitute for y.
iii. Price, payment, compensation, thanks: You can have “x” for “y” Euros;
Payment for your time; Compensation for loss of…; I am grateful for…. iv.
Intended recipient: This is for you.
v.
Intended destination: Leave for work
vi. Aim, purpose, reason: aim for, look for, try for; Go out for a smoke; He
lives for himself alone. vii.
ReasonCause: jump for joy; It looks the worse for wear.
viii. Function: Pens are for writing with; Patience is necessary for this work.
ix.
Quantity as related to a purpose: Enough money for school.
x. Support: He’s for higher taxes.
xi. Choice: voteopt for change.
xii.
Affecting the interests or condition of: “X” is goodbad for you.
xiii. Object of concern: Care for “x”; be responsible for “x”.
xiv. Object of emotion: Lovehate somebody for having done “x”; wish for “x”;
Oh, [what I wouldn’t give] for a cold beer xv.
Appropriacy: This is a goodappropriate remedy for headaches.
xvi.
Relevance ~ ‘with regard to’: For my part, I’m going home; You can drop
dead for all I care. E.g. For…to: It’s unusual for him to do that kind of thing; What I want is
for you to leave. xvii.
Attitude: Take somebody for granted; [take something] for certainsure.
xviii.
Indicating a distance: run for a mile.
xix. Indicating a length of time: run for 8 minutes; forever.
xx. Indicating an occasion in a series: I’m here for the 2nd time.
xxi.
In relation to a norm: For a woman of 90, she’s very active.
Lindstromberg adds that there would be a number of kinships across them. As instances:
– The expression leave for work category ‘ii’ seems to be an instance of ‘substitution’ category ‘i’ since it really means something like leave home
for work. – Categories iii and iv seem to have a lot in common. For instance, support for someone or something iii can affect its interests or
condition iv. – The last sub-category in ii, ‘Quantity as related to a purpose’, seems to
be a special case of ‘relevance’ category ‘v’.
Regarding this additional number of kinship, Lindstromberg aim’s is to purpose the possibility that the usage in categories i-xxi have more in common that emerges
from their presentation in traditional list form 2010: 225. In this research, the researcher provides the function of preposition for
according to Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary 8
th
Edition as well. To make a PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI
better view of the list of the functions of preposition for, the table is displayed below.
Table 2.1 The Functions of Preposition for taken from Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary 8
th
Edition
No. Functions
Examples
1. To show who is intended to have or use
something or where something is intended to be put
There is a letter for you.
It is a book for children.
We got a new table for the dining room.
2. To express who help
somebodysomething
What can I do for you?
Can you translate this letter for me?
I took her classes for her while she was sick.
Soldiers fight for their country.
3. To concern somebodysomething
They are anxious for her safety.
Fortunately for us, the weather changed.
4. To show someonesomething as a
representative
I am speaking for everyone in this department.
5. To show who is employed by
She is working for IBM.
6. To reveal the meaning of something
Shaking your head for “NO” is not universal.
7. To support somebodysomething
Are you for or against the proposal?
They voted for independence in a referendum.
There is a strong case for postponing the exam.
I’m all for people having fun.
8. To show purpose or function
A machine for slicing bread.
Let’s go for a walk.
Are you learning English for pleasure or for your work?
What did you do that for?
9. To show a reason or cause
The town is famous for its cathedral.
She gave me a watch for my birthday.
He got an award for bravery.
10. To obtain something
He comes to me for advice.
For more information, call this
number.
No. Functions
Examples
11. To express an exchange for something
Copies are available for two dollars each.
I’ll swap these two bottles for that one.
12. To consider what can be expected from
somebodysomething
The weather was warm for the time of year.
She’s tall for her age.
That’s too much responsibility for a child.
13. To express the better, happier, etc.
feeling of something
You’ll feel better for a good night’s sleep.
This room would look more cheerful
for a spot of paint.
14. To show where somebodysomething is
going
Is this the bus for Chicago?
She knew she was destined for a great future.
15. To show a length of time
I’m going away for a few days.
That’s all the news there is for now.
16. To show that something is arranged or
intended to happen at a particular time
An appointment for May 12.
We’re invited for 7.30.
17. To show how difficult, necessary,
pleasant, etc. something is that somebody might do or has done
It’s useless for us to continue.
There’s no need for you to go.
For her to have survived such an ordeal was remarkable.
The box is too heavy for me to lift.
Is it clear enough for you to read?
18. To show who can or should do
something
It’s not for me to say why he left.
How to spend the money is for you to decide.
Here are some examples of words verbs, nouns, and adjectives that are typically associated with preposition for.
Table 2.2 The List of Words Typically Associated with Preposition for
For Verb
advertise aim
apply appeal
ask arrange
argue campaign
call clamour
cook claim
criticize contend
grope head
hunt hanker
hope hunger
honor Pray
press praise
plead petition
pardon pay
send set
scold scorn
sentence struggle
strive
