stop for/at the red light

[diamondcutter]

Context: The traffic light is red. I tell a kid what he should do.

You must stop for the red light.
You must stop at the red light.

I wonder if both ‘for’ and ‘at’ could be used in this context.

 

[Tarheel]

Say:

When you see a red light stop and wait for the light to change. When the light changes to green cross the street.

 

[tedmc]

We normally use "stop at the red light".

 

[Tarheel]

I would say:

You must stop if the light is red.

The relevant signal is on the other side of the street.

 

[LewisJian]

You must stop for the red light. (You must stop because of the red light.)
You must stop at the red light. (You must stop at the sight of the red light.)


Is it correct to explain the minute differences between the two sentences in the above?

 

[tedmc]

You stop at the red light for the traffic from the other side to cross. You stop for the traffic, not for the red light.

You must stop for the red light. (You must stop because of the red light.)

I think this is unnatural.

 

[Rover_KE]

Context: The traffic light is red. I tell a kid what he should do.

Traffic lights are for vehicles on the road – including bikes. I assume you're telling your child how to ride his bike safely on the road.

If you're telling him how to cross the road safely as a pedestrian, make it clear that you mean the crossing light.

 

[jutfrank]

You seem to be focusing on the red light as a place where to stop, so use at.

 

[probus]

Context: The traffic light is red. I tell a kid what he should do.

You must stop for the red light.
You must stop at the red light.

I wonder if both ‘for’ and ‘at’ could be used in this context.

Short answer: yes.