available to non-members vs. available for non-members

[Torsten]

Hi,

Apparently the phrase 'available for non-members' is more common than 'available to non-members'. What is the difference between both if any?

Thanks,
Torsten
_________________
Test Of English for International Communication
TOEIC Preparation & TOEIC Vocabulary

[Mister Micawber]

.
None that I can see, Torsten. And I'm surprised-- I would have thought 'available to' the commoner in this use ('available for/to someone'). When I google your precise phrases, I get a slight preponderance of 'to's.
.
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Native English teacher at Mister Micawber's

[NinaZara]

Maybe 'available for non-members' sounds more formal and 'available to non-members' is something that is used verbally. I always hear 'available for comment' and not 'to comment' on news.

Just my two cents.

[Torsten]

Hi Nina,

I think the phrase 'available for comment' follows a different pattern than 'available to non-members'. When you say "I'm available for comment" you mean that you are ready to do something -- you are ready to comment on an issue.

If something is available to somebody, this means that somebody has access to it. So in one case something is available to somebody and in the other somebody is ready to do something.
_________________
Test Of English for International Communication
TOEIC Preparation & TOEIC Vocabulary

[Lost_Soul]

[NinaZara]

Okay, I get it. And I just thought of something. Maybe, in a context of 'available to something', 'to' cannot be used if the 'something' isn't a person. For example, I think you cannot say '...feature is available to CorelDraw' but you have to say '...feature is available for CorelDraw'.