What Do You Use For" Series: Unveiling The Secrets Of Everyday Object

What do you use for...? is a common question format that can be used to ask about the purpose of an object or the reason for an action. For example, What do you use this blanket for? or What are you here for?

The phrase can be used interchangeably with Why?, as in Why do you use this blanket? or Why are you here? However, What do you use for...? may be more commonly used in informal situations.

The phrase can also be used to introduce the recipient of an action, such as She bought a teapot for her sister.

In addition, for can be used to refer to duration, exchange, or to act as a conjunction meaning because.

Asking about purpose

When we want to ask about the purpose of something, we can use the word "for". "For" is usually a preposition and sometimes a conjunction. We can use "for" to talk about the purpose or reason for something. For example:

> I’m going for some breakfast because I’m hungry.

> She leaves on Friday for a 15-day cruise around the Mediterranean.

> I wear these old trousers for painting.

In questions, we often use "what ... for" instead of "why" to ask about the reason or purpose of something, especially in informal situations. For example:

> What are you here for?

> What are they doing it for?

We can also use "for" to introduce the person or people receiving something. For example:

> She bought a teapot for her sister.

> Mike Cranham and his staff at the hotel cook for 800 people a day, on average.

"For" can also be used with a period of time to refer to duration (how long something lasts). For example:

> There’s a lovely open-air pool near us. We usually go there for a couple of hours in the evenings when it’s warm enough.

It's important not to confuse "for" and "in" when referring to time. For example:

> We’re going to Cape Town for two months. (We will spend two months in Cape Town.)

> We’re going to Cape Town in two months. (We’re leaving to go to Cape Town in two months.)

After a negative, we can use "for" and "in" with the same meaning. "In" is particularly common in American English. For example:

> I haven’t seen him in five years. (or for five years.)

"For" can also be used to refer to an exchange. For example:

> 2 for £2 or £1.36 each. (Two for two pounds or one pound thirty-six each.)

> I got 124 euros for 100 pounds at today’s exchange rate.

Sometimes, we use "for" as a conjunction meaning 'because'. This usage is usually found in very formal or literary contexts. For example:

> Chasing the white stag through the forests, never catching it, of course, for it is a creature of legend.

"For" is also used in multi-word verbs. We often combine "for" with a verb to form a multi-word verb. For example:

> She’s been caring for her mother for years.

> It’s not a good time to look for it now. We have to go.

You can find other multi-word verbs with "for" in a good learner’s dictionary.

When asking about the purpose of something, we can use either "what" or "why". "What" is used to ask for a specific thing, while "why" is used to ask for a reason. For example:

> What do you use this blanket for?

> Why do you use this blanket?

In these examples, both sentences are asking about the purpose of the blanket. They mean the same thing and can be used interchangeably. However, "what" is more related to "purpose" while "why" can also be used to express surprise or to ask about a specific item. For instance:

> Why do you use THIS blanket? It's so old, you should buy a new one.

> Why do you use this blanket? And not THAT one?

In conclusion, when asking about the purpose of something, we can use "for", "what", or "why". "For" is a preposition or conjunction that helps us talk about the purpose or reason for something. "What" and "why" are both used to ask about the purpose, but they have subtle differences in usage and context.

Talking about duration

When talking about duration, it is important to understand the concept of time and the various ways in which it can be expressed. Duration refers specifically to the length of time that something lasts, while time can refer to a specific point in time or a broader period. For instance, the duration of a movie is the entire time period it takes to watch it, but it also implies that you are starting to watch it now.

There are several ways to express duration in English, and it is often used in everyday conversations to describe how long something will take or the length of time required to do something. For example, "I will be back in a jiffy", "It will only take about a minute", "It takes me half an hour to get to work", or "The training is around a couple of hours". These phrases provide an estimate of the time needed for a particular task or activity.

Additionally, duration can be used in more technical or scientific contexts, such as in music. In music, notes like whole notes, half notes, and quarter notes have different set durations, and when played together, they create a rhythm. Similarly, in data processing, the duration refers to the time scale used, which can be extended or slowed down depending on the time-scale factor.

It is also worth noting that duration can be subjective. For instance, someone might say, "I have been waiting for you for hours", even if it hasn't literally been that long. This usage adds emphasis to their statement and conveys their perception of time passing.

In summary, when talking about duration, it is essential to consider the context and whether you are referring to a precise length of time or using a more figurative expression to convey the passage of time.

Introducing recipients

When introducing two people over email, it's important to follow certain steps to ensure that the introduction is effective and well-received by both parties. Here are some guidelines to help you craft a successful introduction:

Ask for Permission

It is important to obtain consent from both parties before introducing them via email. This shows respect for their time, privacy, and comfort level. Even if one party has requested the introduction, it is still polite to ask permission from the other person. This is known as a double opt-in introduction.

Fill Out the Subject Line and Recipient Fields

Keep the subject line brief and informative. Include the word "Intro" or "Introduction" followed by the names of the people being introduced. Last names are only necessary if both individuals share the same first name. When connecting people for business reasons, you can include their company names in parentheses, such as "Introduction: Jane (ABC Corp) <> Kyle (XYZ Inc.)".

Use the "To" and "CC" fields for the email addresses of the recipients. If one person requested the introduction, their email goes in the "To" field, while the other person's email goes in the "CC" field. If you initiated the introduction, you can place both emails in the "To" field or use the "CC" field if there is a difference in rank between the recipients.

Greet the Recipients

Address your greeting to both recipients if the introduction was your idea. If one person outranks the other or you used the "CC" field, direct your greeting to the person in the "To" field. Keep the salutation short and appropriate for your relationship with the recipients. You can use "Hi" or "Hello", which are appropriate for most situations. You can also add a nice opening sentence, such as "I hope you're both doing well."

Make the Introductions

When introducing the two people, mention why they should meet and include any relevant information about each person. It is a good idea to include a compliment about each individual to make them look good. For example, "Jane, I'd like you to meet Kyle. Kyle and I worked together at ABC Corp for 3 years. He's the CEO & Co-founder of XYZ Inc. and is highly regarded in the industry. Kyle, please meet Jane, the General Partner at ABC Corp. She led our seed round and was instrumental in our success."

Suggest a Call-to-Action

Let the recipients know what the next steps are. You can suggest that they connect for coffee, schedule a call, or meet in person. It is common for the person who requested the introduction or the person in the "To" field to take the lead in following up. However, you can also suggest that the other person reaches out. For example, "Jane, feel free to email Kyle directly to set up a call. Kyle, please let Jane know if you're available."

Bow Out and Sign Off

Once you've made the introduction, it's time to remove yourself from the email thread. You can politely remind the recipients to take you off the thread or move you to the "BCC" field for future emails. Choose a sign-off that feels natural and appropriate for your relationship with the recipients. Some options include "All the best", "Warmest regards", or "Best wishes."

Proofread Before Sending

Before hitting send, proofread your email to ensure that the email addresses, names, and other details are correct. Check for any spelling or grammar mistakes and consider using a grammar checker tool for added assurance.

By following these steps, you can confidently introduce recipients via email and facilitate meaningful connections while expanding your network.

Referring to an exchange

An exchange can refer to a few different things. Firstly, it can be a noun referring to a trade or deal, or a place where stocks are bought and sold. It can also be used as a verb, meaning to trade or swap.

In the context of finance, an exchange is a marketplace where securities, commodities, derivatives, and other financial instruments are traded. Exchanges can be physical locations where traders meet to conduct business, or they can be electronic platforms. Examples of prominent exchanges include the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), the Nasdaq, the London Stock Exchange (LSE), and the Tokyo Stock Exchange (TSE).

Exchanges play a crucial role in ensuring fair and orderly trading, as well as efficient price dissemination for securities traded on that exchange. They provide a platform for companies, governments, and other groups to sell securities to the investing public and raise capital.

In a different context, the word "exchange" can also refer to a verbal interaction or conversation between two or more people, as in "an exchange of ideas" or "an exchange of words".

In Japanese, the phrase "in exchange for" or "in return for" can be expressed using the construction "〜てあげる代わり【かわり】に", as in "英語【えいご】を教えて【おしえて】あげる代わりに日本語【にほんご】を教えて【おしえて】ください", meaning "In exchange for teaching [you] English, please teach [me] Japanese."

When referring to someone in an email for a job referral, it is common to include a small description of the person being referred and their strengths. It is also important to provide the necessary contact information and a copy of their resume or CV.

Using as a conjunction

"As" is a conjunction and a preposition. It is used in several ways:

• To refer to the role or purpose of a person or thing: "I worked as a waiter."
• To indicate that one event happens while another is in progress: "They arrived as we were leaving."
• To connect a result with a cause: "I went to bed early as I had a plane to catch."
• To mean "in the way that": "As the forecast predicted, the weather was dreadful."
• To introduce two events happening at the same time: "As the show increases in popularity, more and more tickets are sold."
• To talk about identical things: "Your jacket is the same colour as mine."

"As" can also be used in the following ways:

• "As if" and "as though" are used to talk about imaginary situations: "She behaved as if nothing had happened."
• "As well (as)" is used to mean "also": "He likes tea as well (as) as coffee."
• "As for" is used to introduce a new topic of conversation: "As for the weather, it looks like rain."
• "As to" is used when referring to something: "As to the matter of tax, that will be deducted from your salary."
• "As yet" is used to describe something that hasn't happened or been done so far: "The report is as yet unpublished."

"As" can also be used to show time or date: "Our phone number is changing as from May 12th."

Frequently asked questions