Preposition ?photo of or photo for us?

 

Q:

Which sentence is correct? Can you explain to me?

1. Can you take photo of us?
2. Can you take photo for us?

Kennethckh
kennethckh@hotmail.com
Posted 07 December 2001
A:

Both sentences are correct (with the addition of "a," as below), but they mean different things.

"Can you take a photo OF us?" means that you are asking the person to take a photo which will show you. You will appear in the picture.

"Can you take a photo FOR us?" means that you are asking the person to take a photo that you would otherwise have taken yourself. In other words, this person will be holding your camera and taking a picture of someone or something, not necessarily you.

"For somebody" often indicates a service performed for a person. For example:

I'm sorry you're sick today. Can I get something for you at the market?

Sam can't drive for several weeks because he broke his leg, so his wife is driving for him.

Can you deliver this package for me? Thanks a lot.

Julie

(To see a related message, on "Indirect clauses with to and for," click here.)

 

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