for love

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "for love" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where one is expressing affection, passion, or a willingness to do something out of love or for the sake of love. Example: "She decided to move to another city for love, following her heart to be with him."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"For love.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Their hunger for love.

The New Yorker

Then fight for love!

The New Yorker

"People come for love.

The New York Times

So much for love.

The New York Times - Arts

It's for love, for joy.

The New York Times

"I do it for love.

The New York Times

For love or attention, maybe.

The New Yorker

Looking for love?

The Washington Post

For love or art.

The New Yorker

He falls for love.

MIT Technology Review

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "for love", ensure the context clearly indicates whether you mean romantic love, familial love, or love for a passion/cause. This will prevent misinterpretation.

Common error

Avoid using "for love" in highly formal or business writing where a more professional tone is expected. Consider alternatives like "due to dedication" or "out of commitment" for a more appropriate register.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "for love" primarily functions as a prepositional phrase modifying a verb or noun. It indicates the reason or motivation behind an action or state, as shown in examples in Ludwig, such as "I do it for love" or "They marry for love."

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

25%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Science

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "for love" functions as a prepositional phrase signifying motivation or purpose rooted in affection. Ludwig AI indicates it's grammatically sound and frequently used across diverse contexts. While its usage is widespread, consider the appropriateness for formal settings where alternatives may be preferable. Prominent sources such as The New York Times and The Guardian employ it, solidifying its place in contemporary English. Its related phrases, like "out of love" or "for the sake of love", offer nuanced substitutes.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

out of love

Expresses the same motivation but uses "out of" instead of "for".

for the sake of love

Emphasizes the reason or purpose behind an action, using a more elaborate phrase.

in the name of love

Suggests acting under the authority or inspiration of love.

motivated by love

Highlights love as the driving force behind a decision or action.

driven by affection

Replaces "love" with "affection", focusing on a feeling of fondness.

with love as the reason

States love directly as the cause or justification.

because of love

Uses a causal structure to indicate love as the cause.

prompted by love

Indicates that love was the stimulus for an action.

inspired by love

Suggests love served as a creative or motivational influence.

with affection as the motive

Highlights "affection" as the underlying reason or purpose.

FAQs

How can I use "for love" in a sentence?

You can use "for love" to express motivation or reason, as in "He did it "for love" of the game" or "She moved across the country "for love" of her partner."

What's a more formal alternative to "for love"?

In formal settings, consider using phrases like "out of dedication", "due to commitment", or "motivated by affection" as more professional substitutes for ""for love"".

Is it always appropriate to use "for love"?

While ""for love"" is widely understood, it might not suit every situation. For instance, in technical or highly formal writing, a more precise and less emotionally charged phrase may be preferable.

What's the difference between "for love" and "out of love"?

While similar, ""for love"" generally indicates a purpose or motivation, while "out of love" often implies an action resulting directly from the feeling of love. For example, doing something ""for love"" suggests you're doing it because you love someone or something, while acting "out of love" suggests the emotion itself drove the action.