Reward Someone For Doing vs. Reward Someone To Do
Cambridge records reward someone for something when the following conduct or achievement is the reason a reward is given.
Use “reward someone for doing something” when the action is the reason for the reward. “Reward someone to do” is not the parallel reason complement.
Key details
Choose the right form
| Meaning / situation | Form / construction | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| give someone a reward because of an action | reward + person + for + -ing | Use “for” to introduce the action that is the reason for the reward. |
| give someone a reward because of a thing, result, or quality | reward + person + for + noun | A noun phrase can state the reason. |
| use “reward someone to do” as the parallel reason complement | not the documented parallel pattern | Do not replace “for + -ing” with a direct infinitive when stating why the reward is given. |
Quick tests
Meaning / construction test
Are you naming the action that is the reason for the reward?
If yes: Use “reward someone for doing.”
If no: If you are naming a thing or result, use “reward someone for” plus that noun; “reward someone to do” is not the parallel reason complement.
Examples
The company rewarded her for finding the error.
“For + -ing” gives the action that earned the reward.
They rewarded the volunteers for completing the survey early.
The -ing clause states why the reward was given.
The school rewarded the team for its improvement.
A noun phrase can also state the reason.
Further guidance
Boundary
Reward also has other patterns such as reward someone with something; those do not turn to + infinitive into the matching reason complement.
Construction
The rewarded conduct is conventionally expressed with reward + person + for + noun/-ing.
Decision
Use “reward someone for doing something” when the action is the reason for the reward. “Reward someone to do” is not the parallel reason complement.
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.
- Reward — Cambridge Dictionary (opens in a new tab)Cambridge Dictionary · Current dictionary construction showing reward someone for something or good behavior.