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 Mon May 26, 2008 1:47 am "solution to" vs "solution for" |
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Hello Nessie,
Cf.
1. The solution to the problem of malingering employees is installing cctv in their homes.
2. The solution for astute employers is installing cctv in employees' homes.
Thus:
a) the solution to a problem
b) the solution for the person with the problem
All the best,
MrP |
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MrPedantic
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| Mon May 26, 2008 9:55 am "solution to" vs "solution for" |
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Are you saying that we cannot say the first of these?
a) the solution for the problem is...
b) the solution for the person with the problem is... |
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Molly
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| Tue May 27, 2008 1:35 am "solution to" vs "solution for" |
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I would add a c), on reflection:
a) the solution to a problem
b) the solution for the person with the problem
c) the solution for a particular outcome
MrP |
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MrPedantic
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| Tue May 27, 2008 10:26 am "solution to" vs "solution for" |
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| I guess your answer is "yes", right? |
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Molly
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| Tue May 27, 2008 12:21 pm "solution to" vs "solution for" |
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I feel,
a) solution for the problem
b) solution to the problem
c) solution to a problem
are all possible and a) = b) to a certain extent. |
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Haihao
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| Wed May 28, 2008 0:03 am "solution to" vs "solution for" |
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And a d), on further reflection, e.g.
d) That solution of X's to the problem of...
MrP |
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MrPedantic
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| Wed May 28, 2008 1:30 am "solution to" vs "solution for" |
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e.g.
1. Furthermore, this solution of Parfit’s to the voter’s paradox is hardly going to make the residents of Wyoming happy.
MrP |
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MrPedantic
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| Wed May 28, 2008 8:08 am "solution to" vs "solution for" |
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| MrPedantic wrote: | e.g.
1. Furthermore, this solution of Parfit’s to the voter’s paradox is hardly going to make the residents of Wyoming happy.
MrP |
My question was:
Are you saying that we cannot say this in English?
a) the solution for the problem is... |
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Molly
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| Thu May 29, 2008 1:03 am "solution to" vs "solution for" |
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| Molly wrote: | Are you saying that we cannot say this in English?
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If you or I say "the solution for the problem", it will probably go unnoticed, since we are both native speakers.
If non-native speakers say it, however, especially in contexts where their language is under scrutiny, it may well be noticed in a mildly adverse way.
So "to the problem", which no one will notice, is the most sensible solution.
MrP |
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MrPedantic
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| Thu May 29, 2008 10:29 am "solution to" vs "solution for" |
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| Quote: | | If you or I say "the solution for the problem", it will probably go unnoticed, since we are both native speakers. |
There you go again, Mr P. What is it you hope to gain here?
| Quote: | | So "to the problem", which no one will notice, is the most sensible solution. |
I see, so ""the solution for the problem" is not incorrect usage. That's all I wanted to know. |
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Molly
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| Thu May 29, 2008 23:54 pm "solution to" vs "solution for" |
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| Molly wrote: | There you go again, Mr P. What is it you hope to gain here?
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There I go where again, old chap? 
| Quote: | I see, so ""the solution for the problem" is not incorrect usage. That's all I wanted to know.
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You missed this part:
"If non-native speakers say it, however, especially in contexts where their language is under scrutiny, it may well be noticed in a mildly adverse way."
Some people would think it incorrect; some people would think it sloppy; some people wouldn't notice it.
MrP |
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MrPedantic
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| Fri May 30, 2008 0:06 am "solution to" vs "solution for" |
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| Quote: | | Some people would think it incorrect; some people would think it sloppy; some people wouldn't notice it. |
And some would notice it and find it correct, right? |
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Molly
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| Fri May 30, 2008 14:21 pm "solution to" vs "solution for" |
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| MrPedantic wrote: | | Molly wrote: | Are you saying that we cannot say this in English?
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If you or I say "the solution for the problem", it will probably go unnoticed, since we are both native speakers.
If non-native speakers say it, however, especially in contexts where their language is under scrutiny, it may well be noticed in a mildly adverse way.
So "to the problem", which no one will notice, is the most sensible solution.
MrP |
Hi MrP,
Thanks a lot for your explaination 
I know "solution to" is the better choice. However, I just have the same query as Molly about the use of "solution for" in formal English. (208 results in the BNC)
If possible, could you please clarify your post above? I just... don't understand it very clearly (noticed and unnoticed => ??  ??)
Many thanks in advance.
Nessie
_________________
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Sorry seems to be the hardest word... |
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nessie
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| Fri May 30, 2008 16:40 pm "solution to" vs "solution for" |
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| Quote: | | I just have the same query as Molly about the use of "solution for" in formal English. (208 results in the BNC) |
One has to be careful with those results. You get examples such as this, which don't count:
The solution for Jake is always the same, i.e. he gets pissed!
For Jake, the solution is always the same, i.e. he gets pissed!
There, there is an ellipted "to the problem" between solution and for, IMO.
Here are a few of the examples I was focusing on:
"Thus the solution for the two-cylinder problem is provided by the solution for the two-line-source problem having the same amount of charge per unit length."
Lectures on electromagnetic theory. Solymar, L. Oxford: OUP
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"The extent of inequality depends on the variation in N and, magnified by the serial correlation induced by al in the former case, but moderated by the term. The solution for the general case follows the same approach, and is left as an exercise."
Lectures on public economics. Stiglitz, Joseph E and Atkinson, Anthony B. Maidenhead: McGraw-Hill Book Company
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'The Russians refer to "buka", the Welsh "barog" means spiteful, while the Scots usher forward "boggle-bos", "bucca-bos", "bodachs" and "bugbears" as the solution for misbehaviour in very small children, especially if they refuse to go to sleep when they should.'
Myths, gods and fantasy: a sourcebook. Allardice, Pamela. Bridport, Dorset: Prism Press |
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Molly
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| Pronunciation of words: Gucci, Fibonacci, Chevrolet | Does the word "ununderstandable" exist? |
