adverb used to ask about the purpose or reason for something
preposition used to ask about the intended use or destination of something
Used to inquire about the justification or reasoning behind a particular action or belief
Used to explore motivations and intentions behind behavior or emotions
Used in syntax and semantics to ask about the purpose or reason for something
Used to prompt critical thinking and analysis of a topic or concept
In a professional context, a writer may use 'what for' to inquire about the purpose or reason behind a specific action or decision. For example, a writer may ask their editor, 'What is this paragraph supposed to accomplish? What is it for?'
A psychologist may use 'what for' when conducting therapy sessions to understand the underlying motivations or intentions of their clients. For instance, a psychologist may ask a client, 'What do you hope to achieve by engaging in this behavior? What is it for?'