One of my students asked me the difference between Apply TO and Apply FOR. It’s a good question so I thought I would write a post for my blog readers. I hope it’s helpful! 😀 *NEW quiz at the bottom of this post –
| Apply TO – a location or a school |
| I applied to the University of Toronto. I hope I get accepted! |
| Apply FOR – a job/bank loan etc. |
| You should apply for a job at Starbucks. They are hiring now. |
The verb apply means – to make a formal request, usually in writing, for something such as a job, a loan, permission for something, a place at a university, etc.
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Apply can be used with the prepositions TO and AT. I will explain the difference with some natural examples.
Apply TO
We usually apply to a place we want to go (a school) or a place we would like to work
Theresa applied to Google, but it’s very competitive. I hope she can get a job there.
I applied to the University of Toronto. I hope I get accepted!
Examples of APPLY TO with different verb tenses
| TO APPLY (infinitive) “You need TO APPLY to a few different schools in case you don’t get accepted at your first choice.” |
| APPLY (present simple) “I APPLY to Law school every year.” |
| APPLIES (present simple third-person singular) “Dennis APPLIES to Law school every year too.” |
| APPLIED (past simple) “We APPLIED to law school last year, but we weren’t accepted.”” “I APPLIED to work in Dubai this autumn, my company is opening a new office there.” “I got accepted to Harvard! I APPLIED to 4 schools but Harvard is my first choice.” |
| WILL APPLY (future – just decided) “I think I WILL APPLY to McGill University in Quebec.” GOING TO APPLY (future – planned activity) “I’m GOING TO APPLY to schools closer to my house.” More future tense GRAMMAR |
| APPLYING (continuous) “Mike and Dennis are always APPLYING to law school. I hope they get accepted soon.” |
| APPLY is a regular verb. This means the past tense and the past participle both end with _ed. APPLIED (past participle) “Dennis has APPLIED to law school every year for the past 4 years.” [Has APPLIED is perfect tense grammar] More perfect tense GRAMMAR |
Apply FOR
We usually apply for a thing we want to get.
Apply for a job/bank loan etc.
I’m going to apply for a credit card today.
Examples of APPLY FOR with different verb tenses
| TO APPLY (infinitive) “When I first came to Japan I had to APPLY for a visa so I could stay in the country for more than 3 months.” |
| APPLY (present simple) “I APPLY for a few different jobs every summer. I like to have a choice between a few possibilities.” |
| APPLIES (present simple third-person singular) “My sister APPLIES for different summer jobs too. It’s good to have choices” |
| APPLIED (past simple) “I APPLIED for a manager job at my company’s new office in Dubai.” |
| WILL APPLY (future – just decided) “I think I WILL APPLY for the new sales job when Albert retires next month.” GOING TO APPLY (future – planned activity) “I heard many people are GOING TO APPLY for that job. Good luck.” |
| APPLYING (continuous) “I just graduated last month. Now I’m APPLYING for jobs in some local companies.” |
| APPLY is a regular verb. This means the past tense and the past participle both end with _ed. APPLIED (past participle) “4 people have already APPLIED for the new sales job. You should apply today if you want a chance.” [Have APPLIED is perfect tense grammar] |
Applying as a noun
Apply also has a gerund form – applying.
A gerund is the continuous form of the verb, used as a noun.
Steve: What’s your plan after graduation?
Allen: First I will travel, then when I get back home I will start applying for jobs.
*In this sentence applying is a noun (gerund). It follows the verb will start.
Helpful web support from: https://www.dailywritingtips.com/apply-to-apply-for-and-apply-with/
Comments 2
Easy to understand.
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Thanks for your comment. I’m very happy to hear that!