Against vs. For — What's the Difference?
"Against" often denotes opposition or resistance, while "for" indicates support or favor towards something.
Difference Between Against and For
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Key Differences
"Against" and "for" are prepositions with contrasting implications in various contexts. When one is "against" something, they are typically opposing it, showing disagreement or resistance. For instance, someone might be "against" a particular policy due to personal beliefs. On the contrary, being "for" something indicates agreement, support, or alignment with that subject. As an example, a person might be "for" sustainable energy due to its environmental benefits.
In physical contexts, "against" can imply contact or proximity, like when a ball is leaning "against" a wall. Conversely, "for" in some contexts can suggest purpose or intention. For instance, the gift was "for" her birthday. It's crucial to discern between these prepositions based on the context they're used in.
When considering arguments or debates, these two words again display their contrasts vividly. Being "against" a proposal means you don't support its passage or implementation. Being "for" a proposal means you want it to pass and believe in its benefits. The terms dictate one's stance on a subject matter, making it clear where one's allegiances lie.
In daily communications, both "against" and "for" can signal personal beliefs, preferences, or inclinations. If someone says they're "against" fast food, it's clear they don't consume or support it. In contrast, if they're "for" home-cooked meals, it demonstrates their preference towards that type of food. The power of these two words lies in their ability to succinctly convey feelings or opinions on a matter.
Comparison Chart
Primary Implication
Opposition or resistance
Support or favor
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Context of Use
Disagreement, physical contact
Agreement, purpose or intention
In Arguments
Denotes being against the passage of a proposal
Denotes support for the passage of a proposal
In Preferences
Shows a dislike or non-support for something
Indicates a preference or inclination toward something
Physical Meaning
In contact with or proximity to something
Intended purpose or use of something
Compare with Definitions
Against
In physical contact with.
The ladder leaned against the wall.
For
In support of.
He campaigned for the new law.
Against
Contrary to.
This goes against my beliefs.
For
Used to indicate a specific time
Had an appointment for two o'clock.
Against
In anticipation or preparation for.
She took an umbrella against the forecasted rain.
For
Indicating that in prevention of which, or through fear of which, anything is done.
We 'll have a bib, for spoiling of thy doublet.
As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.
For me, my stormy voyage at an end,I to the port of death securely tend.
Against
As counterbalance to. en
For
Indicating purpose or intended recipient.
This gift is for you.
Against
Directly opposite to; facing.
For
Because of.
He wouldn't apologize; and just for that, she refused to help him.
She was the worse for drink.
I like her for lots of reasons.
Against
In contrast or comparison with.
He stands out against his classmates.
This report sets out the risks against the benefits.
For
(obsolete) Indicating that in prevention of which, or through fear of which, anything is done.
Against
(obsolete) By the time that (something happened); before.
For
Used in various more-or-less idiomatic ways to construe individual verbs, indicating various semantic relationships such as target, purpose, result, etc.; see also the entries for individual phrasal verbs, e.g. ask for, look for, stand for, etc.
To account for one's whereabouts
To care for a relative
To settle for second best
To allow for mistakes
Against
From an opposite direction so as to strike or come in contact with; in contact with; upon; as, hail beats against the roof.
For
In the most general sense, indicating that in consideration of, in view of, or with reference to, which anything is done or takes place.
Against
In opposition to, whether the opposition is of sentiment or of action; on the other side; counter to; in contrariety to; hence, adverse to; as, against reason; against law; to run a race against time.
The gate would have been shut against her.
An argument against the use of steam.
For
One who takes, or that which is said on, the affrimative side; that which is said in favor of some one or something; - the antithesis of against, and commonly used in connection with it.
Against
In a direction or course opposite to
Row against the current.
For
Representing a duration of time.
She worked there for ten years.
Against
So as to come into forcible contact with
Waves dashing against the shore.
For
In exchange for.
She paid for the dress.
Against
In contact with so as to rest or press on
Leaned against the tree.
For
Used to indicate the object, aim, or purpose of an action or activity
Trained for the ministry.
Put the house up for sale.
Plans to run for senator.
Against
In hostile opposition or resistance to
Struggle against fate.
For
Used to indicate a destination
Headed off for town.
Against
Contrary to; opposed to
Against my better judgment.
For
Used to indicate the object of a desire, intention, or perception
Had a nose for news.
Eager for success.
Against
In competition with
Raced against the record holder.
For
Used to indicate the recipient or beneficiary of an action
Prepared lunch for us.
Against
In contrast or comparison with the setting or background of
Dark colors against a fair skin.
For
Used to indicate a number of attempts
Shot three for four from the foul line.
Against
In preparation for; in anticipation of
Food stored against winter.
For
As being
Take for granted.
Mistook me for the librarian.
Against
As a defense or safeguard from
Protection against the cold.
For
Used to indicate an actual or implied listing or choosing
For one thing, we can't afford it.
Against
To the account or debt of
Drew a check against my bank balance.
For
As a result of; because of
Jumped for joy.
Against
In a contrary direction to.
It is hard work to swim against the current.
For
Notwithstanding; despite
For all the problems, it was a valuable experience.
Against
In physical opposition to; in collision with.
The rain pounds against the window.
For
Considering the nature or usual character of
Was spry for his advanced age.
Against
In physical contact with, so as to abut or be supported by.
The ladder was leaning against the wall.
The puppy rested its head against a paw.
The kennel was put against the back wall.
For
In honor of
Named for her grandmother.
Against
Close to, alongside.
A row of trees stood against a fence.
For
Because; since.
Against
In front of; before (a background).
The giant was silhouetted against the door.
For
Because of this; for this reason.
Against
In competition with, versus.
The Tigers will play against the Bears this weekend.
For
Because, as, since.
I had to stay with my wicked stepmother, for I had nowhere else to go.
Against
In opposition to.
Are you against freedom of choice?
He waged a ten-year campaign against the company that was polluting the river.
I'd bet against his succeeding.
For
Towards; in the direction of.
The astronauts headed for the moon.
Run for the hills!
He was headed for the door when he remembered.
Against
Of betting odds, denoting a worse-than-even chance.
That horse is fifty-to-one against, so it has virtually no chance of winning.
For
Directed at; intended to belong to.
I have something for you.
Against
In exchange for.
The vouchers are redeemable against West End shows and theatre breaks.
For
In order to help, benefit, gratify, honor etc. (someone or something).
Everything I do, I do for you.
We're having a birthday party for Janet.
The mayor gave a speech for the charity gala.
Against
As a charge on.
Tax is levied against income from sales.
For
Supporting, in favour of.
All those for the motion, raise your hands.
Who's for ice-cream?
I'm for going by train
Against
As protection from.
He turned the umbrella against the wind.
For
Intended to cure, remove or counteract; in order to cure, remove or counteract.
This medicine is for your cough.
I need to spray my house for termites.
Against
In anticipation of; in preparation for (a particular time, event etc.).
The stores are kept well stocked against a time of need.
For
Over (a period of time).
I've lived here for three years.
They fought for days over a silly pencil.
Against
(Hollywood) To be paid now in contrast to the following amount to be paid later under specified circumstances, usually that a movie is made or has started filming.
The studio weren't sure the movie would ever get made, so they only paid $50,000 against $200,000. That way they wouldn't be out very much if filming never began.
For
On behalf of.
I will stand in for him.
I speak for the Prime Minister.
Against
(obsolete) Exposed to. en
For
In the role or capacity of; instead of; in place of.
I used a hay bale for a bed.
He's got a turnip for a brain.
Against
Abreast; opposite to; facing; towards; as, against the mouth of a river; - in this sense often preceded by over.
Jacob saw the angels of God come against him.
For
In exchange for; in correspondence or equivalence with.
I got five hundred pounds for that old car!
He matched me blow for blow.
Against
By of before the time that; in preparation for; so as to be ready for the time when.
Urijah the priest made it, against King Ahaz came from Damascus.
For
In order to obtain or acquire.
I am aiming for completion by the end of business Thursday.
He's going for his doctorate.
Do you want to go for coffee?
People all over Greece looked to Delphi for answers.
Can you go to the store for some eggs?
I'm saving up for a car.
Don't wait for an answer.
What did he ask you for?
Against
In comparison with.
The team played against last year's champions.
For
By the standards of, usually with the implication that those standards are lower than one might otherwise expect; considering.
Fair for its day.
She's spry for an old lady.
He's very mature, for a two-year old.
Against
Contrary to; in conflict with.
Doing this is against my principles.
It is against the law to smoke on these premises.
There was no car in sight so we crossed against the red light.
For
To be, or as being.
Don't take me for a fool.
For
(usually in the phrase 'for all') Despite, in spite of.
For all his expensive education, he didn't seem very bright.
For
Indicating something desired or anticipated.
O for the wings of a dove.
Ah! for wings to soar
And now for a slap-up meal!
For
(in expressions such as 'for a start') Introducing the first item(s) in a potential sequence.
Go scuba diving? For one thing, I can't even swim.
For
In honor of; after.
He is named for his grandfather.
For
Due or facing (a certain outcome or fate).
He totally screwed up that project. Now he's surely for the sack.
For
Out of; used to indicate a fraction, a ratio
In term of base hits, Jones was three for four on the day
For
Indicating the antecedent cause or occasion of an action; the motive or inducement accompanying and prompting to an act or state; the reason of anything; that on account of which a thing is or is done.
With fiery eyes sparkling for very wrath.
How to choose dogs for scent or speed.
Now, for so many glorious actions done,For peace at home, and for the public wealth,I mean to crown a bowl for Cæsar's health.
That which we, for our unworthiness, are afraid to crave, our prayer is, that God, for the worthiness of his Son, would, notwithstanding, vouchsafe to grant.
For
Indicating the remoter and indirect object of an act; the end or final cause with reference to which anything is, acts, serves, or is done.
The oak for nothing ill,The osier good for twigs, the poplar for the mill.
It was young counsel for the persons, and violent counsel for the matters.
Shall I think the worls was made for one,And men are born for kings, as beasts for men,Not for protection, but to be devoured?
For he writes not for money, nor for praise.
For
Indicating that instead of which something else controls in the performing of an action, or that in spite of which anything is done, occurs, or is; hence, equivalent to notwithstanding, in spite of; - generally followed by all, aught, anything, etc.
The writer will do what she please for all me.
God's desertion shall, for aught he knows, the next minute supervene.
For anything that legally appears to the contrary, it may be a contrivance to fright us.
For
Indicating the space or time through which an action or state extends; hence, during; in or through the space or time of.
For many miles aboutThere 's scarce a bush.
Since, hired for life, thy servile muse sing.
To guide the sun's bright chariot for a day.
For
Because; by reason that; for that; indicating, in Old English, the reason of anything.
And for of long that way had walkéd none,The vault was hid with plants and bushes hoar.
And Heaven defend your good souls, that you thinkI will your serious and great business scant,For she with me.
For
Since; because; introducing a reason of something before advanced, a cause, motive, explanation, justification, or the like, of an action related or a statement made. It is logically nearly equivalent to since, or because, but connects less closely, and is sometimes used as a very general introduction to something suggested by what has gone before.
Give thanks unto the Lord; for he is good; for his mercy endureth forever.
Heaven doth with us as we with torches do,Not light them for themselves; for if our virtuesDid not go forth of us, 't were all alikeAs if we had them not.
For
On behalf of
Spoke for all the members.
For
In favor of
Were they for or against the proposal?.
For
In place of
A substitute for eggs.
For
Used to indicate equivalence or equality
Paid ten dollars for a ticket.
Repeated the conversation word for word.
For
Used to indicate correlation or correspondence
Took two steps back for every step forward.
For
Used to indicate amount, extent, or duration
A bill for five dollars.
Walked for miles.
Stood in line for an hour.
For
Used to indicate appropriateness or suitability
It will be for the judge to decide.
For
As regards; concerning
A stickler for neatness.
For
To be used or treated in a stated way, or with a stated purpose.
This is a new bell for my bicycle.
The cake is for Tom and Helen's anniversary.
These apples here are for eating. The rest are for throwing away.
For
Throughout or across (a distance in space).
I can see for miles.
For
Used to introduce a subject within a to-infinitive clause.
It is unreasonable for our boss to withhold our wages.
All I want is for you to be happy.
For
(cricket) Used as part of a score to indicate the number of wickets that have fallen.
At close of play, England were 305 for 3.
For
(nonstandard) So (that), in order to
He took the swing shift for he could get more overtime.
For
Indicating that in favor of which, or in promoting which, anything is, or is done; hence, in behalf of; in favor of; on the side of; - opposed to against.
We can do nothing against the truth, but for the truth.
It is for the general good of human society, and consequently of particular persons, to be true and just; and it is for men's health to be temperate.
Aristotle is for poetical justice.
For
Indicating that toward which the action of anything is directed, or the point toward which motion is made; ntending to go to.
We sailed from Peru for China and Japan.
For
Indicating that on place of or instead of which anything acts or serves, or that to which a substitute, an equivalent, a compensation, or the like, is offered or made; instead of, or place of.
And if any mischief follow, then thou shalt give life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot.
For
Indicating that in the character of or as being which anything is regarded or treated; to be, or as being.
We take a falling meteor for a star.
If a man can be fully assured of anything for a truth, without having examined, what is there that he may not embrace for tru ?
Most of our ingenious young men take up some cried-up English poet for their model.
But let her go for an ungrateful woman.
Common Curiosities
Does "for" always indicate support?
No, "for" can also denote purpose, duration, or reason.
How is "against" used in sports contexts?
It can denote competition, as in "Team A played against Team B."
Is "against" always used to show disagreement?
No, "against" can also indicate physical contact or comparison.
Can "for" denote a time duration?
Yes, e.g., "She lived there for five years."
How do I decide between "against" and "for" in writing?
Consider the context and whether you want to convey opposition (against) or support/purpose (for).
Which term, "against" or "for," indicates opposition?
"Against" indicates opposition.
Can "for" suggest a purpose?
Yes, e.g., "This tool is for cutting paper."
Can "against" and "for" be used in the same sentence?
Yes, e.g., "She's for sustainability but against deforestation."
In what context might "against" and "for" have similar meanings?
In rare contexts like "protection against rain" and "umbrella for the rain."
Are "against" and "for" always prepositions?
Mostly, but they can play different grammatical roles based on context.
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