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As far as I understand, these phrases have very similar meaning, but is there any difference between them at all? I mean, are they interchangeable?
We discussed pros and cons of buying a bigger house.
Would it be correct to say?
We discussed for and against of buying a bigger house?
IMO, no!
pros and cons typically talk about advantages and disadvantages of something. And it, I think, is the most acceptable phrase. Replacing it with 'for' and 'against' would make that sentence a bit ambiguous. In other words, you may need to clarify to a few (including me!) who may not get it at first.
Some believe that for and against works in debates
pros and cons is usually used to describe how desirable the attributes of the Object or effects of an action ( buying a big house) are, usually projected in future.
Pros: Big house will allow kids to have separate rooms etc.
Cons: The air-conditioning bill will be higher, etc.
for and against is usually used for counting support by people or institutions.
The Husband was for buying a big house
The Wife was against buying the big house.
If you said "We discussed all the points for and against buying a big house", that is accepted usage. So I am coming around to thinking, if you can count things to tally, it's for-against, if not, it's pros/cons.
