CultureBridge: ESL phrasal verbs

E S L C O R N E R
Apply to/for & fill in/out

Sometimes the change of one word in a verb phrase can make a difference in
its meaning. Compare the phrasal verbs "apply to" and "apply for".

You apply to some place, such as a school that you would like to attend.

Example: What colleges did you apply to?
I applied to Cornell University and Harvard.

If you change the preposition "to" to "for," the phrase is used
differently. The object of the sentence changes from a place to a thing.

You apply for something, such as a scholarship or job.

Ex: You must apply for the scholarship by February 10th.
I think I'm going to apply for a job at the Student Center.

Let's take a look at another pair of phrases: "fill in" and "fill out"

To fill in is to put something into a blank or empty space.

Ex: Exam instructions - please fill in the correct answer in the space next to each question.

Also, if you can't go to work as scheduled for some reason, you may ask a
friend to go instead.

Ex: I have an appointment with my doctor tomorrow. Can you fill in for me at the ice cream shop?
I'm going to fill in for Jim at the office on Tuesday.

To fill out means to complete some kind of paperwork.

Ex: I have to fill out my college applications this weekend.

Check our ESL index for other useful lessons!

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