This is some material from my lesson on To vs For! Should help you

There’s no single rule that works for choosing between "to" and "for" in every case, but there are some helpful guidelines that cover many of the common uses. Unfortunately, English does have many exceptions, so memorizing specific combinations is sometimes necessary. Here’s a breakdown of general guidelines to help: 1. "To" Often Suggests Direction or a Recipient Use "to" when indicating direction or transfer. This applies when something is being directed toward someone or something, whether that’s physical, emotional, or abstract. Examples: Give it to me. This applies to everyone. We’re going to the park. She was kind to him. 2. "For" Often Suggests Purpose, Benefit, or Suitability Use "for" when describing the purpose or benefit of an action, or when saying something is suited to someone’s needs or situation. This includes when something is done on behalf of someone or is generally beneficial for them. Examples: This gift is for you. I’m looking for a new job. This is healthy for you. She prepared dinner for us. 3. Verbs and Adjectives That Commonly Pair with "To" or "For" With "to": Many verbs and adjectives that imply direction, response, or openness often pair with "to". Listen to, reply to, speak to, explain to, belong to, married to Kind to, similar to, important to With "for": Many verbs and adjectives that imply benefit, purpose, or need often pair with "for". Look for, prepare for, wait for, provide for, search for Good for, suitable for, responsible for 4. Some Common Exceptions There are verbs and expressions that don’t follow these rules, so it’s useful to memorize them. For instance: Apologize to someone for something: Here, "to" indicates the recipient of the apology, while "for" explains the reason. Ask for: To request something (e.g., "She asked for help."). By following these general patterns, you’ll often make the correct choice, but it’s a good idea to keep track of exceptions as you come across them

Neither. Just listen and copy, like every native English speaker did.

There isn't a single rule that covers all cases, so some memorization is needed. However, there are guidelines: 1. "To" often implies direction or relationship with something (e.g., "similar to," "speak to"). 2. "For" usually indicates purpose or benefit (e.g., "good for," "thank you for"). Over time, patterns will become familiar, and practice will help solidify which prepositions fit.

No, it would be impossible to memorize the thousands of ways they are used. Instead, learn the meaning of each word and use it accordingly.