afford for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'afford for' is not a correct phrase in written English.
You could use the phrase 'afford' on its own or with the preposition 'to', such as 'afford to', depending on the context. For example, I can afford to buy a new car.

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Rural people could not afford for electical bills.

Energy Procedia

Malawi cannot afford for that to keep happening.

The Economist

They can afford for $11.99 to have an impulse purchase".

The New York Times

"We can't afford for them to fail," he says.

The Guardian

"We can't afford for any to leave," she says.

The Guardian

At its crudest, we can't afford for Egypt to collapse.

The Guardian - Opinion

Frankly, the world cannot afford for them to fail.

The Guardian

Your initial purchase should be the best system you can afford for interactive use.

Yale University

"We can't afford for the budget to be something that balloons out of control," he added.

The New York Times - Arts

Still, Mr. Bates and other Microsoft executives cannot afford for Skype to be too independent.

The New York Times - Tech

She could not afford for it to be a big deal.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When expressing the ability to pay for something, use "afford" followed by a noun or "afford to" followed by a verb. For example, say "I can afford a new car" or "I can afford to buy a new car" instead of "I can afford for a new car" or "I can afford for buy a new car".

Common error

Avoid using "for" after "afford". This is a common mistake that can make your writing seem less polished. Instead, directly state what you can afford or use the infinitive form "to afford".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "afford for" functions as a verb phrase intended to express the ability to bear the cost of something. However, according to Ludwig AI, this construction is generally considered grammatically incorrect. It is often intended to express capability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

39%

Science

26%

Wiki

17%

Less common in

Academia

9%

Formal & Business

9%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "afford for" appears in various sources, including news and academic texts, it is generally considered grammatically incorrect. According to Ludwig AI, the proper usage is to use "afford" followed directly by the object or "afford to" followed by a verb. To ensure clear and polished writing, avoid using "afford for" and opt for the grammatically correct alternatives. Despite its common occurrence, especially in media and scientific texts, its incorrectness undermines its usability in formal contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Be able to afford

This alternative directly states the capability of affording something, focusing on ability rather than permission.

Have the means to afford

This alternative emphasizes the resources available to be able to afford something, highlighting the financial aspect.

Be in a position to afford

This alternative focuses on the circumstances that allow affording something, suggesting a broader context than just financial capability.

Can manage to afford

Highlights the effort required to afford something, implying it might be a stretch but still possible.

Have enough money to afford

This phrase emphasizes the monetary aspect of being able to afford something.

Be rich enough to afford

This alternative is more specific about the level of wealth required.

Be wealthy enough to afford

Similar to 'rich enough', it emphasizes the affluence required to purchase or undertake something.

Have the funds to afford

Focuses specifically on the availability of financial resources.

Have the capacity to afford

Emphasizes the ability to handle the financial burden, implying sustainability.

Be financially able to afford

Directly states the financial capability as the reason for being able to afford something.

FAQs

How can I properly use "afford" in a sentence?

Use "afford" directly followed by the object you can pay for (e.g., "I can afford a new car.") or use "afford to" followed by a verb (e.g., "I can afford to travel.").

Is "afford for" grammatically correct?

No, "afford for" is generally considered grammatically incorrect. The correct usage is either "afford" or "afford to". You should say "I can afford this" or "I can afford to do this".

What are some alternatives to "afford to"?

Alternatives include "be able to afford", "have the means to afford", or "be in a position to afford", depending on the context.

What's the difference between "afford" and "afford for"?

"Afford" is the correct term to indicate having enough money or resources for something. "Afford for" is not a standard construction in English and should be avoided. Use "afford" or "afford to" instead.