using 'for' .... or not?

JSmiley · #1 17-Nov-2006, 13:35

My wife just telephoned this in:

I slept for 8 hours
I slept 8 hours

I say that both are correct, maybe because 8 hours is a time period. But told her to remind her student that:

I go to the store for milk

I go to the store milk

Am I right about the first two? or am I just being too colloquial?

Opinions will do when knowledge is lacking.

Thanks in advance,
Jesse

jiang · #2 17-Nov-2006, 13:42

Dear JSmiley,

The first two are correct. 'for' is omitted in the second sentence. The word 'for' suggests 'time'. Is that right?
In the second group, 'for' suggests 'purpose' so it can't be omitted. Is that right?

Jiang

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSmiley

My wife just telephoned this in:

I slept for 8 hours
I slept 8 hours

I say that both are correct, maybe because 8 hours is a time period. But told her to remind her student that:

I go to the store for milk

I go to the store milk

Am I right about the first two? or am I just being too colloquial?

Opinions will do when knowledge is lacking.

Thanks in advance,
Jesse

philipfoxe · #3 17-Nov-2006, 20:32

Both are correct. In US English, people will often say ' I slept 8 hours', whereas in UK English, we say 'I slept for 8 hours.' There are a number of similar expressions where the two countries use slightly different expressions. Americans say ' I'll see you Friday.' We say ' I'll see you on Friday.' Americans say ' We work Monday through Friday.' We say 'We work from Monday to Friday.' They are not important differences, but they probably confuse learners. It's best if you can learn just UK English or US English, but if you are learning informally that's going to be difficult!

MikeNewYork · #4 17-Nov-2006, 23:12

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSmiley

My wife just telephoned this in:

I slept for 8 hours
I slept 8 hours

I say that both are correct, maybe because 8 hours is a time period. But told her to remind her student that:

I go to the store for milk

I go to the store milk

Am I right about the first two? or am I just being too colloquial?

Opinions will do when knowledge is lacking.

Thanks in advance,
Jesse

They are both correct. It is not unusual to use expressions of time as adverbs. When "for" is inserted, the expression becomes a noun.

It is not much different from "I'll be there Tuesday" vs, "I'll be there on Tuesday".