Be Fit To Do vs. Fit For Something distinguishes the directly documented fit to + verb and fit for + noun phrase patterns. Oxford uses both in suitability and health contexts, so the guide focuses on how the complement frames an action versus a purpose, duty, person, or thing.
ReviewedEvidence1 sourceSectionEnglish Usage
Quick answer
Use fit to + verb when saying someone or something is suitable, healthy enough, or ready for an action; use fit for + noun phrase when naming the purpose, duty, work, person, or thing for which it is suitable.
Key details
Confusion Familyusage-construction
Rule Familyconstruction choice
Termsfit + to-infinitive, fit for + noun phrase
Further guidance
Core difference
Oxford directly documents both fit to do something and fit for somebody/something, with context determining the relevant sense.
Style Boundary
Because “fit” has several senses, keep the interpretation tied to the sentence rather than treating the two complements as mechanically interchangeable.
Sources and evidence
Sources are shown with the role they play in this guide. Historical or style-sensitive claims are kept within the evidence boundary described above.
Agree With vs. Agree On separates directly documented constructions and keeps the distinction narrow rather than turning a context-sensitive pattern into a universal preposition rule.
Angry With vs. Angry About separates directly documented constructions and keeps the distinction narrow rather than turning a context-sensitive pattern into a universal preposition rule.
Appropriate For vs. Appropriate To separates directly documented constructions and keeps the distinction narrow rather than turning a context-sensitive pattern into a universal preposition rule.
Available To vs. Available For separates directly documented constructions and keeps the distinction narrow rather than turning a context-sensitive pattern into a universal preposition rule.
Be Bound To Do vs. Bound For Somewhere separates two distinct Oxford-documented senses. Bound to do/be expresses certainty or likelihood, while bound for + destination describes travel toward a place. The guide keeps those senses separate from legal or duty-bound uses.
Be Elated To Do vs. Elated By Something compares two directly documented complement patterns for “elated.” Oxford evidence supports an infinitival use as well as elated at/by + noun phrase, so the guide explains the construction choice without generalizing from synonyms.
