What is what part of speech is for?

"For" is a versatile word in English, and its part of speech depends heavily on its context. It can function as several different things:

• Preposition: This is its most common usage. A preposition shows the relationship between a noun or pronoun and another word in the sentence. Examples:

  • "I'm going to the store for milk." (shows the purpose of going)
  • "She works for a large company." (shows the employer)
  • "It's been a long time for a change." (shows the duration/time relating to a change)

• Conjunction: Less common, but "for" can act as a coordinating conjunction, similar to "because." This usage is often considered more formal or literary. Examples:

  • "The work was tiring, for it was very physically demanding." (indicates a reason or explanation)

• Interjection (rare): In very informal speech, "for" might be used as an interjection to express surprise or hesitation, usually followed by a pause. This is highly context-dependent and not grammatically standard. Example:

  • "For... what were you doing?" (Expressing surprise or uncertainty).

In short, while "for" is primarily and most often used as a preposition, understanding its potential roles as a conjunction (in specific instances) allows for a more complete grammatical understanding. The part of speech is determined by its function within the sentence.