was a friend for him vs was a friend to him

Both phrases are correct, but they are used in different contexts. 'Was a friend to him' is the more common and idiomatic phrase to indicate a friendly relationship. 'Was a friend for him' can be used in a more specific context to emphasize the benefit or purpose of the friendship.

Last updated: April 01, 2024

was a friend for him

This phrase is correct but less common than 'was a friend to him'. It can be used to emphasize the benefit or purpose of the friendship.

This phrase is used to highlight the specific benefit or purpose of the friendship in a sentence. It is less common than 'was a friend to him'.

Examples:

He was a friend for him in times of need.
She was a friend for him when he needed support.
The dog was a friend for him during his lonely days.
The book was a friend for him when he needed guidance.
The music was a friend for him in times of sorrow.

Show examples from the web [+]

A friend was a friend for life. That's a cliché I suppose, but in Brooke's case it was undeniable.
Natsumi-san was a friend of my childhood friend.
I thought that she was a friend.
So on reflex, or thinking it was a friend joking, he did.
I was a friend of your sister's.
Said she was a friend of mine.
Sharon was a friend of yours, too.
But for Timothy Treadwell, this bear was a friend, a savior.
Before that, she was a friend of Frank Miller's.
This one was a friend of Vince Stone's.
I realised he was a friend of Carlotta, and I was their enemy.
So this Irina was a friend of my brother.
We thought he was a friend to our people.
The woman before was a friend.
And Inspector Daniel Clay was a friend.
Some old man, said he was a friend of Samuel Sullivan.
But this is different, Ernie was a friend.
I thought it was a friend of my brother's.
He was a friend and an honorable man.
I was a friend of your brother's.

Alternatives:

was a friend to him
was his friend
was there for him as a friend
was supportive of him as a friend
was a good friend to him

was a friend to him

This phrase is the more common and idiomatic way to express a friendly relationship. It is widely used in English.

'Was a friend to him' is the more common and idiomatic way to express a friendly relationship. It is widely used in English to indicate a positive and supportive friendship.

Examples:

She was a friend to him when he needed advice.
He was a friend to him in times of trouble.
The cat was a friend to him during his illness.
The teacher was a friend to him throughout his studies.
The neighbor was a friend to him when he moved to a new city.

Show examples from the web [+]

He approached someone Yuri thought was a friend and got him to secretly buy up enough shares so that Walter could force the takeover.
I was about as good a friend to him as Clara's friends, who keep sending postcards from the trip that she'll never get to take.
We thought he was a friend to our people.
Andy was a friend to all of us.
He was a friend to me.
A man named Ivan was a friend to me as well.
Your father was a friend to us, but it's time for you both to leave.
He was a friend to every U.S. President since Harry Truman.
Lastly, Father Curtis was a friend to the sick and the aged, whom he often visited, despite his many duties.
The Great Pilgrim was a friend to Pericles, and highly approved of this unforgettable and brilliant era of knowledge and beauty.
He was a friend to all people, especially corporations, who he legally considered to be people.
She was a friend to all, a comforter to the sick.
You was the only one that was a friend to me.
I was a friend to a kid whose father was a plumber.
Natsumi-san was a friend of my childhood friend.
I thought that she was a friend.
So on reflex, or thinking it was a friend joking, he did.
I was a friend of your sister's.
Said she was a friend of mine.
Sharon was a friend of yours, too.

Alternatives:

was a friend for him
was his friend
was there for him as a friend
was supportive of him as a friend
was a good friend to him

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was a friend for him vs was a friend to him