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 • 725 views

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.

"was a friend for him"

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

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"

'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