₦airaland Forum

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Oblige me to first explain what clap means in the context of this post.
Clap – to strike the palms of the hands together with an abrupt loud sound, usually repeated; as in applauding.
– To strike together with a sharp sound, as one hard surface on another. E.g. He clapped a book on the desk.
– To strike lightly but firmly with the open hand, as in greeting, encouragement, etc. E.g. He clapped his friend on the back.
– To place quickly, firmly or forcibly. E.g. They clapped him in jail for stealing.
*For is used for saying who or what is intended to receive something or get the benefit of it. It is used for stating the purpose of an object or action. E.g. Keep the book for Sona.
‘Clap for him’ to mean that you are applauding someone is correct.
Look at it this way; clap means to put the palms of your hands together, as in applauding.
So, if you say, ‘put your hands together for him’ then replace ‘put your hands together’ with its equivalent ‘clap’, it will then be written as ‘clap for him’.
Considering what ‘for’ means, ‘clap for him’ then indicates that you are stating who is receiving the action, ‘clap’ or that the purpose you are clapping is for him.
‘Clap him’, on the other hand means to to put him quickly or forcibly somewhere.
E.g. He was clapped in jail for stealing.
– They clapped him in the shelter against his will.
Therefore, both statements are correct depending on the context they are being used.
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