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What for vs For what

Both 'what for' and 'for what' are correct phrases in English, but they are used in different contexts. 'What for' is more commonly used in informal speech to ask about the purpose or reason for something, while 'for what' is used in more formal contexts or when the emphasis is on the 'what' part of the question.

Last updated: March 24, 2024

What for

The phrase 'what for' is correct and commonly used in informal speech to ask about the purpose or reason for something.

This phrase is used to ask about the reason or purpose of something. It is often used in informal conversations.

Examples:

What are you doing that for?
I don't understand what this is for.
What are you studying for?
What are you saving up for?
What did you buy that for?

Show examples from the web [+]

What for? I was dead already.
What for you object to live in palace?
Probably on a tenner a day, and I know what for.
Does it say what for, specifically?
What for, if he's dead?
- What for they shoot me, Miss Hannah?
What for? - We must act, not pray.
- What for you do that, sir?
And I think it might be a good idea to let him take a look at you What for?
Because if you don't, I'll cut you off this team quicker than you can say, "What for?"
I knew they were testing me but I never knew what for.
To muddy the water, that's what for.
I don't bother asking who's sending what and what for.
Okay, fine, but if I just fought my way out of an underground Siberian prison, I'd kind of want to know what for.
Your son is about to be arrested, and I know what for.
I can tell when I'm being used, Frank. I just want to know what for.
You're the most famous woman in America, that's what for.
Should I ask you what for, or should we...
I don't know what for, but I am trying to apologize.
I feel like I'm being used, and I don't even know what for.

Alternatives:

why
what is the reason for
what is the purpose of
what is the use of
what is the point of

For what

The phrase 'for what' is also correct, but it is used in more formal contexts or when the emphasis is on the 'what' part of the question.

This phrase is used to ask about the reason or purpose of something, but it is typically used in more formal settings or when the emphasis is on the 'what' part of the question.

Examples:

For what purpose was this decision made?
For what reason did you choose that option?
For what cause are you fighting?
For what event are you preparing?
For what project are you allocating resources?

Show examples from the web [+]

For what a drug made her do.
For what it could do to our lives if people knew.
For what you've just been through.
For what you did in the cast room.
For what you did to my...
For what it's worth, it was her loss entirely.
For what I knew was mine.
For what happened at the village.
For what you did to his father.
For what you said back there about my photo.
For what we're trying to do here together.
For what seems like a second...
For what it's worth, I was young.
For what it's worth, kort denied agency involvement.
For what these people are doing, they deserve to die.
For what happened at the house?
For what it's worth, Yankton's afraid of Bullock.
For what the regiment did in Normandy.
For what happened between us in high school.
For what I heard while I was there.

Alternatives:

why
what is the reason for
what is the purpose of
what is the use of
what is the point of

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