was for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was for" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate the purpose or reason for something in the past. Example: "The meeting was for discussing the new project timeline."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"That was for entertainers".

The New York Times - Books

She was for Kennedy.

The Economist

Today was for me".

The New York Times - Sports

"He was for real.

The New York Times - Arts

Service was for life.

Encyclopedia Britannica

This was for keeps.

The New York Times

It was for me.

The New York Times - Books

That was for starters.

The New York Times

It was for him.

The New York Times

It was for us.

The New York Times - Sports

Housecleaning was for immigrants.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "was for", ensure the context clearly indicates the purpose or intended recipient. For example, "The gift was for her" is more precise than "The gift was".

Common error

Avoid using "was for" when a different preposition would be more accurate. For example, instead of saying "He was for leaving", consider "He was in favor of leaving" to better convey his support.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was for" primarily functions as a prepositional phrase indicating purpose, intention, or recipient in the past. It links a subject to its intended use or beneficiary, specifying the reason or target of a past action or state as supported by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Encyclopedias

1%

Science

1%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "was for" is a versatile and commonly used construction that serves to denote past purpose, intention, or the intended recipient. According to Ludwig, it's grammatically correct and suitable for various contexts, though primarily found in news and media. When using "was for", ensure clarity and precision in conveying the intended meaning. Also, bear in mind possible alternatives such as ""was intended for"" or "was meant for" when a more formal or specific nuance is required.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was intended for

This alternative clearly indicates the original purpose or design of something in the past.

was meant for

Similar to "was intended for", this suggests a planned or expected use that existed in the past.

was designed for

Focuses on the planning and creation of something with a specific purpose in mind.

was created for

Highlights the act of making something for a particular reason.

served as

This phrase emphasizes the function or role something had in the past.

was allocated for

Implies a formal assignment or designation for a specific use in the past.

was designated for

Indicates an official naming or assignment for a particular role.

was used for

This simply states the past utilization of something.

was suited for

Suggests that something had the necessary qualities to fulfill a particular purpose in the past.

catered to

This emphasizes meeting specific needs or preferences in the past.

FAQs

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

Use "was for" to indicate the intended purpose or recipient of something in the past. For example, "The scholarship "was intended for" students from disadvantaged backgrounds".

What are some alternatives to "was for"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like ""was intended for"", "was meant for", or "served as".

Is it correct to say "It was for to improve"?

No, this construction is incorrect. The correct usage is "It was for improving" or, better yet, "It was to improve". Using the infinitive form "to improve" is generally preferred for expressing purpose.

What is the difference between "was for" and "is for"?

"Was for" refers to a past purpose or intention, while "is for" refers to a current or ongoing purpose. For example, "The tool was for cutting wood" (past) vs. "The tool is for cutting wood" (present).